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I 









THE BLUE BIRDS’ 

UNCLE BEN 


BY 

LILLIAN ELIZABETH , ROY 


AUTHOR OF THE “FIVE LITTLE 
STARRS” SERIES, ETC. 


Jleto gortt 

THE PLATT & NOURSE CO. 



Copyright, 1917, by 
THE PLATT Sc NOURSE CQ, 


/ 

OCT 19 1917 


©Cl. A 4 76 64 4 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTM *AGK 

I. The New York Party 7 

II. At the Tree of Light 31 

III. The Christmas Number of the Maga- 

zine 54 

IV. The Winter Outing 75 

V. Little Citizens’ Stories 96 

VI. The Motion Picture Play 116 

VII. The February Number 139 

VIII. Flutey's Return to Happy Hills . . . 159 

IX. Preparing Happy Hills 179 

X. Little Citizens’ Easter Egg Party . . 201 

XI. Billy Marchant — Little Citizen . . . 224 

XII. Other Stories of Little Citizens . . . 245 

XIII. Happy May Days 260 

XIV. The Funny Number 280 

XV. The Busy Month of June 305 















. . 
























/ 


• ‘ 




\ 

















































































* ' 




i 






























> • • ;■ /' 


7 - . ' • 


illustrations 


At the dear old rector’s she heard some stories 
just as funny as the one Dot told about 
Moses Frontispiece 

The others were soon off with bob-sleds and coast- 
ers to ride down the hills near Mossy Glen . 


AGE 

86 


Then came the scene of carrying the fainting boy to 
Mossy Glen 133 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were so glad to see 
him . . . that he laughed as they clung about his 
arms and coat-tails 254 
















































/ 






































THE BLUE BIRDS’ 
UNCLE BEN 


CHAPTER I 

THE NEW YORK PARTY 

“Are we all here?” called Uncle Ben, trying 
to count the bobbing heads of the children who 
were on the veranda of Ruth Talmage’s house, 
awaiting the automobiles that were to take them 
to the Oakdale station. 

“Oh, I say! Uncle Ben — where's Flutey?” 
cried Ned Talmage, as he craned his neck trying 
to find his great-aunt, Miss Selina. 

“I'm coming — I just went back for a moment 
to get a few copies of our last magazine. You 
can never tell when you want one, you know, and 
I believe in being provided,” came from a white- 
haired old lady who hurried out of the front door 
at Ned's call. 


7 


8 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Meantime, the automobiles came up and some 
of the eager children jumped in. 

“Who’s coming in this first car?” called Dot 
Starr, with an anxious note in her tones. 

“Dot’s afraid she’ll miss the train?” laughed 
Mrs. Starr, as she stood on the bottom step of 
the piazza. 

“No I’m not, Mumzie, but someone’s got to 
make a beginning. It’s a sure thing that we’ll 
never keep that appointment in New York un- 
less we get started!” retorted Dot, pulling at 
Ruth Talmage to drag her into the car with her. 

“Dot’s logic sounds right — so here we go, get 
in any machine handiest, and let’s be off!” ad- 
vised Mrs. Catlin, one of the Blue Bird Mothers 
of the Nest at Mossy Glen. 

Three cars whirled through the village of Oak- 
dale with so much shouting and laughing from 
the children that the smiling villagers stood still 
and watched them pass by. 

Of course you readers remember who our lit- 
tle friends are, don’t you? You read of them 
when they started their Happy Times Nest 
where they had such fun in building it in a big 
tree and furnishing it with the articles the fairies 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


9 


left under brushes and trees. Then, the Fourth 
of July Christmas Tree they had on the lawn 
when so many scores of children enjoyed the 
party. Also the Fresh Air Fund they started 
and the visit to the slums of New York to find 
some Little Citizens to practise on. 

Then, you remember how they made the Win- 
ter Nest in the house, and the boys began their 
Bobolink Band to do all of the printing, and the 
little magazine that was the outgrowth of Ned’s 
weekly paper called The Chirp . Wasn’t that a 
wonderful time — the day the little publishing 
company issued their first paper? And the 
wonderful stories of the Civil War and the 
Klondike? 

Well, well! The Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
have done a lot of things since that day, and now 
their Uncle Ben, the editor of a New York maga- 
zine, is taking them to the city where a number 
of philanthropists and publishers wish to meet 
the little workers they have heard so much about 
recently. Uncle Ben arranged the treat, so that 
is why he was so busy seeing that everyone was 
present on time to catch the train which would 
soon carry them to the terminal at Hoboken. 


10 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


The merry crowd of children, accompanied by 
some of their elders, attracted much attention 
from passengers on the train, and when they 
reached Hoboken, Uncle Ben had to cover his 
ears to protect his hearing. 

Before they reached the entrance to the tubes 
that ran under the Hudson River, they had to 
pass the wide entrance to the fine restaurant that 
is in the D. L. & W. terminal at Hoboken. This 
was Don Starr’s opportunity so he quickly sidled 
up to his friend, Uncle Ben. 

“Say, Uncle Ben, don’t you think it is a long 
time between breakfast and supper?” 

Uncle Ben laughed heartily. “Folks, I have 
just been reminded that I may get to be a teeny 
weeny bit faint before my supper-party to-night, 
so I propose that we have luncheon here in this 
restaurant. Who agrees with me?” 

While all of the boys shouted, “Me, me!” the 
girls looked at the Grownups to see if it would be 
wise to stop. 

“Will we have plenty of time to eat and then 
go uptown to the theatre?” asked Mrs. Talmage. 

“Oh, plenty! It’s just one block west of the 
tube station you know, and it is not yet one 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


ii 


o’clock. I figure that we shall have ample time 
to lunch and still meet our friends on time,” re- 
plied Uncle Ben, consulting his watch. 

So they all entered the big busy restaurant and 
enjoyed a treat that was not included in the 
schedule Uncle Ben had outlined for the day. 
Of course, everyone ordered ice-cream for des- 
sert, and joy of joys ! Uncle Ben told the waiter 
to heap up the dishes without regard to the cost. 

From here, they went in the tube and were 
soon being carried under the deep wide Hudson 
— but you would never dream there was such a 
volume of water over-head above the tubes. 
The cars are very similar to those in use in sub- 
ways, and soon they carry you to the New York 
side of the river, stopping at the stations on the 
way uptown. 

“Uncle Ben, these are funny cars, but I s’pose 
they are made this way on purpose, eh?” won- 
dered Ruth, looking about her at the steel fittings 
and concrete floors. 

“Yes, and they say that even if the tubes 
should leak and let the river flow through them, 
these cars are so constructed as to resist the pres- 
sure of water and keep them safe for a long 


i2 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


time. But the engineering on this tunnel is so 
wonderful that there seems to be no possible way 
for the water to get in.” 

After leaving the tubes Uncle Ben led his party 
to the Grand Opera House where the Blue Bird 
play was to be given. 

Not quite so much talking and laughing came 
from the children as they neared the place ap- 
pointed to meet Uncle Ben’s friends, for the lit- 
tle ones had never met any of them although 
their names and fame were familiar to most 
people. 

In the lobby of the theatre, Ruth pulled Uncle 
Ben’s sleeve and whispered, “You let us get be- 
hind the Grownups and introduce them first, so 
we can see how they do it.” 

Uncle Ben smiled but had not the opportunity 
to obey his little niece’s wishes, for his friends 
were already there, and standing just where they 
could catch the first peep of the Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks as they came to the doors. 

One man quickly called the attention of his 
party by saying, “Here they are — our little 
philanthropists from Oakdale!” 

The kindly welcome immediately put the chil- 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


i3 

dren at ease, and they were all soon laughing and 
talking with each other. 

While passing an open doorway which had a 
sign “Private” on the panel, Meredith Starr and 
Ned Talmage happened to glance into the room. 
Ned caught at Mete's sleeve wonderingly when 
they saw many tiers of magazines piled upon the 
floor of the office. 

“This is where those hundreds of copies came 
when Uncle Ben said he would give shipping di- 
rections at the express office. I thought maybe 
he was planning to give them away in the slums,” 
whispered Mete. 

“He must have had permission from the man- 
ager here to distribute them. I wonder when 
they expect to do it?” said Ned. 

“Let's get him off on one side and ask him 
what the plot is. When he knows that we know 
about the magazines he will tell us,” suggested 
Mete. 

Uncle Ben was seen walking over towards the 
office while talking to a tall man who seemed to 
order everyone belonging to the theatre. As 
soon as Uncle Ben saw the two boys eager to 


i 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

speak to him, he placed a hand on his companion’s 
arm for a moment and said, “Well, boys?” 

“We saw the magazines Uncle Ben, and we 
are very anxious to know what they are here 
for,” said Ned. 

The boys were introduced to the manager and 
Uncle Ben added, “We are permitted to give out 
a copy to everyone leaving the theatre this after- 
noon. Thus, only people who are really inter- 
ested in high-class literature and true philan- 
thropy will get a copy to take home and examine 
at their leisure. The type of patrons who come 
to see this play are the kind you want to interest 
in your plans.” 

As Uncle Ben explained, the two boys saw the 
good to be done and thanked him for his thought- 
fulness. 

“Come on, boys, we’re all going in now,” called 
Don Starr at this moment. 

“Yes, do hurry or we’ll be late for the begin- 
ning!” added Dot Starr, dragging at Mete’s 
coat. 

Soon the entire party was comfortably seated 
in adjoining boxes on the first balcony from 
which they could see everything on the stage and 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


i5 

in the whole auditorium as well. To the great 
surprise of the Oakdale party, the boxes occu- 
pied by them were decorated with American 
flags and Blue Birds flying all about the flags. 
The birds were suspended from the ceiling above 
by fine wire and as the currents of air circu- 
lated past the boxes the birds were swayed or re- 
volved about to make them appear as if they 
were flying. 

But the children were soon completely absorbed 
in the play and they delighted thoroughly in the 
acting of the two little children who left home to 
seek for the Blue Bird of Happiness. When the 
great Sea Pilot came in his boat to the region 
where lived the unborn, the Oakdale children 
were highly amused to watch the tiny little tots 
act with perfect self-composure. The tiniest of 
them all, who called himself “An Honest Man,” 
was so cute that Ruth said she just felt like hug- 
ging him. 

As the curtain rolled down at the last scene, the 
sighs heard from every direction attested to the 
interest in the play. 

“Dear me, I wish it was just beginning again!” 
said Ruth. 


1 


1 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Yes, but you forget how tired the little ones 
must be after three hours of continuous acting/’ 
reminded Mrs. Talmage. 

Uncle Ben had left the box just before the last 
curtain, but now he came hurrying back with 
the manager. To the great delight of the Oak- 
dale party, they were invited to go back of the 
scenes and meet the real Blue Bird children. 
Even the Grownups were pleased with this plan 
and they were soon filing along the narrow en- 
try that led from the stage to the rooms back of 
the scenes. 

Everything here was novel to the visitors and 
they were curious to know what all the strange 
things were used for. But Uncle Ben said the 
baby actors were even now being dressed to go 
home and they must hurry or miss them. 

And now the children from Oakdale saw real 
actors ! 

Not one of the boys was as old as the Bobo- 
link Boys, and the girls were not taller or older 
than the Blue Birds. The baby who played “The 
Honest Man” was actually only two and a half 
years of age and so tiny and chubby that Ruth 
had her wish and hugged him. 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


i7 


Most of the players had their make-up removed 
before the visitors came in, but some few of them 
were still having their faces rubbed to remove the 
grease-paint. Their darkened eyes and highly 
crimsoned cheeks looked very funny to the Oak- 
dale children, but the manager explained why it 
was necessary to use paint and powder on the 
stage. 

The names and addresses of each little player 
was written down by Uncle Ben who said that 
each would be presented with a year's sub- 
scription to the magazine. Then each was given 
a copy from the tiers in the lobby and the man- 
ager led his party back to the auditorium. Here 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks from Oakdale 
thanked him and followed Uncle Ben to the en- 
trance hall. 

But the surprises were not yet over. When 
the B. B. & B. B. party passed through the lobby, 
some uniformed boys handed out copies of a 
magazine so like their very own that the young 
publishers gasped. Mete and Ned exchanged 
glances with Uncle Ben, when the others ex- 
claimed at the surprise. 


1 8 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Oh ! Dot, see here, our very own magazine !” 
shouted Don. 

“Yes, our very owny own!” cried Dot, reach- 
ing out the magazine to attract the attention of 
Uncle Ben who was talking animatedly to Ned 
and Mete. 

“Why, so it is! How did it ever get down 
here?” said Uncle Ben, finally. 

“Humph ! Guess you know more about it than 
you’ll say!” declared Don, looking shrewdly at 
the culprit. 

The Grownups laughed and Uncle Ben wisely 
remarked, “That private dining-room is all ready 
for us at the hotel !” 

“If you’re paying for it by the hour, I guess 
we’d better hurry up and make the most of it,” 
said practical Don. 

His sally was received with laughter for it 
was always Don or Dot who made such blunt 
remarks in such funny ways. 

“Shall we walk or ride uptown to the hotel?” 
asked Uncle Ben. 

“Oh, let’s walk and see the lights up on that 
street!” eagerly replied Ned, nodding at Broad- 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 19 

way with its brilliant electric signs flashing every- 
where. 

“Oh no, Ben! Do you think we ladies are 
centipedes ? How could we ever race about after 
two dozen lively children going up that crowded 
street,” objected Mrs. Talmage. 

“Ah, we won't bother you any,” begged Ned 
and Jinks. 

“You may all mean well, children, but I be- 
lieve in ‘safety first.' Ben, call some taxicabs 
for us!” said Mrs. Talmage, decidedly. 

So the visitors were whisked from the opera 
house to the hotel in less time than they dreamed 
possible; once in the hotel lobby, the children 
stood and gazed around in awe. The flunkies, 
the palms and green bay trees, the vastness of 
the place with here and there groups of wonder- 
fully gowned women and men in black, made its 
impression. Then, the manager saw Uncle Ben 
and hurried from his desk to welcome the party 
for whom he had arranged a dinner. 

“So these are the young publishers, are they, 
Mr. Talmage?” remarked the gentleman, after 
being introduced. 

“Yes, and I am glad to have you meet them 


20 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


for some day they are going to ask a favor of 
you,” laughed Uncle Ben, who had planned an 
idea to use the hotels for Little Citizens’ pur- 
poses. 

“I shall be delighted, I’m sure !” responded the 
manager. 

“There now, friends ! You all heard him com- 
mit himself, didn’t you? Well, we will take ad- 
vantage of his promise, never fear. Soon, you 
will have to render faithful fulfillment of the of- 
fer to help us,” chuckled Uncle Ben. 

The manager smiled doubtfully for he was not 
sure whether he had committed himself to some- 
thing he could not easily perform. He led the 
way, however, to the room engaged for the party, 
while talking animatedly with some of the Grown- 
ups. 

The entire party, following in twos and threes 
along a thickly carpeted corridor, entered a room 
through heavy velours portiere. 

Once inside the room, everyone stopped to ex- 
claim in admiring voices at the lovely decora- 
tions. Trellises of roses and climbing vines 
stood in each wall-space between the windows 
and doors, and among these green leaves, and 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


21 


upon tendrils of vines, sat or swung Blue Birds 
as if alive and just ready to sing or take wing. 

The ceiling was festooned with ropes of green 
vines from which Blue Birds were suspended by 
invisible wire similar to that in the theatre box. 
The long table had a miniature woodland scene 
in the center, and here birds and flowers vied 
with each other in color and beauty. 

Upon the polished plate glass covering the 
dining-table, the sparkling bluebird dishes and 
bluebird glassware reflected beautifully; while 
the bluebird doilies under each plate and drink- 
ing glass, and the blue and earth-brown satin 
ribbons that streamed from the back of each 
chair, made a festive appearance calculated to 
make everyone sigh with pleasure. 

“Oh, isn’t it bee-autiful !” exclaimed Ruth, 
clasping her hands. 

“I never saw anything half as lovely!” added 
Betty. 

“I just guess Uncle Ben told that green-house 
man to go ahead and never mind the cost!” sug- 
gested Dot. 

“Yes, just like he told the waiter-man about 


22 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


the ice-cream this noon,” added Don, upon whom 
that unlimited order had left an impression. 

The others walked about and admired until 
Don felt impatient, so he said, “Fine dishes and 
trimmings are all right, but they’re not very fill- 
ing!” 

“See here, Don! Don’t you go and spoil 
this bee-autiful party by talking of eating!” 
chided his sister Lavinia, who was old enough to 
feel the responsibility of the twins. 

“But, Vene, isn’t that what we came to the 
hotel for? Uncle Ben didn’t hire this room just 
for us to look at stuffed birds and artificial vines, 
did he?” persisted Don. 

Of course everyone laughed and Uncle Ben 
marshalled each one to a chair and sat down at 
the head of the table. 

It was a wonderful party! The climax was 
reached when the ice-cream appeared made in the 
form of little nests, each nest holding a dear lit- 
tle bluebird. 

The moment the children had finished their 
dessert Uncle Ben stood up to speak. The wait- 
ers were distributing dishes of fruit and nuts, 
and each one received an individual souvenir box 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


23 


of bon bons. On top of each box was a twig of* 
green leaves with a tiny bluebird perched on the 
twig. 

“While the rest of you enjoy your fruit and 
bon bons I am going to take the opportunity to 
tell all of you Blue Birds and Bobolinks some- 
thing besides the names of the friends who are 
gathered about this table with you. 

“This smiling-faced gentleman at my right is 
the Secretary of the National Audubon Society, 
and he has some fine ideas for you children to 
work out and to have published in your maga- 
zine. He will talk to you later and explain his 
plans. 

“Next to the Secretary is an old acquaintance 
of every boy and girl who ever heard of Wood- 
craft, even though they may never have met the 
Founder of the Organization. This Big Chief 
has a message for you children also, and he, with 
his charming wife who is sitting next to him, will 
be delighted to have you all join his Woodcraft 
Boys and Girls. Right next to me on the left, 
is the lady who is the most enthusiastic Wood- 
crafter in the League. What the girls would do 
without her it is hard to say. 


24 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Next to this lady is the renowned singer, 
daughter of the Rebecca you read about in the 
Civil War Story told by Miss Selina in the Win- 
ter Nest. Now, now, what is all this commotion 
about?” Uncle Ben smiled at the children as 
they all exclaimed and half-rose from their chairs 
with the intention of running over to greet the 
individual they felt they all knew so well. 

The attractive lady smiled winningly at each 
one and then Uncle Ben continued his speech. 

“Next to our own particular Star of Song sits 
the renowned singer who is going to revolutionize 
the people by having each one create harmony 
for themselves in their own hearts. He is in 
the city just now, teaching a great Community 
Chorus who will sing the Messiah at Christmas 
time. We are all invited to join his class and 
sing with his chorus in Madison Square. 

“And right next to this gentleman is one of 
the leading Welfare Workers in New York. 
When the singer spoke of having a great Carol 
sung for the public, the Welfare gentleman said 
he would have a giant Tree of Light, the finest 
ever seen in a city park for the public. A few 
years ago he introduced the plan of having 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


25 


Christmas Trees in the parks so that everyone 
could see and enjoy a tree even if they had none 
at home. 

“And little friends, right next to the Welfare 
Worker is a lady you must make one of your best 
friends. She is one of .the prime movers in the 
‘Fresh Air Movement’ for the sick and needy 
children, so she will be the one to help you fill 
the Nests at Happy Hills next summer.” 

As Uncle Ben told the children of the work 
and fame of each individual present at their 
party, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks felt insignifi- 
cant indeed, for their charity work was still too 
young to have caused comment, but they were 
delighted to meet these people who could be such 
valuable friends and advisors. 

Then Uncle Ben began to tell the Grownups 
what wonderful work the young publishers did 
at Oakdale, and what great plans they had made 
for helping others who needed help and good 
cheer. The children smiled and looked about to 
see if the visitors were smiling at Uncle Ben’s 
teasing, but they found that everyone seemed to 
take his words seriously, so they wondered if he 
really meant it all ! 


26 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


A long time was spent in talking and planning 
for new ideas for the Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
to carry out, and when the time came for the 
Oakdale party to start for the last train, several 
important matters had been decided. 

“Well, then, the first thing to do is to have a 
rousing big number of our Christmas magazine. 
We shall have most of the manual labor done 
in New York this month so as to give the young 
publishers more time to do the hundred and one 
important things that are to be done before 
Christmas. We shall print up enough copies so 
that each child at the Tree of Light at Madison 
Square may have a book to take home. 

“Second: It is agreed that we be present at 
the Municipal Tree and sing in the chorus and 
later assist in entertaining the poor Little Citi- 
zens who are to be invited to go in the Madison 
Square Gardens for cake and ice-cream. At that 
time, we shall mention the winter’s day to be 
spent in the country, and issue the tickets for 
that trip to Oakdale. Mr. Richards will take 
care of the notices to appear in the New York 
papers when the day is decided upon. 

“Third : Our guests here this evening have ac- 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


27 


cepted our invitation to come out to Oakdale 
some fine cold day and enjoy the coasting and 
skating we can ofifer them. This will have to be 
very soon for we intend planning at that time for 
the visit of the city children who have never seen 
the country in its white winter garb. 

"Now, have I forgotten anything?” asked 
Uncle Ben, looking about at the eager faces 
watching him. 

" You never said a word about the stories you 
said you would get from these friends for our 
Christmas number,” reminded Ned. 

"Sure enough ! I told these young publishers 
that I was sure many of you Grownups would do- 
nate a poem or story to the magazine for this 
month. Now, be sure and send them in im- 
mediately for our Christmas issue must be a good 
one and right on time, too !” declared Uncle Ben. 

Thereupon, the Welfare Worker promised to 
tell a true story of the eastside settlement work; 
the Secretary of the National Audubon Society 
agreed to write up and send pictures of some 
birds. The Big Chief of the Woodcraft Indians 
ofifered to relate some Indian tales, and so on, 


28 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


until the children found they would have all the 
material they could use for the next issue of their 
magazine. 

“Don’t forget to print enough copies for 
our Benevolent Institutions!” said the Welfare 
Worker as they all left the room. 

“And be sure to send us enough copies to dis- 
tribute among my rich clients who make dona- 
tions for the poor,” added the man who worked 
faithfully to advance the happiness of the poor. 

“Dear me, I’m glad we won’t have to run that 
press to turn off all of those magazines! Just 
think of the work in addressing and wrapping all 
those thousands, too ! I should think the writer 
who has to do all of that would have cramps,” 
said Jinks. 

“Oh, they are not written by hand any more, 
you know. The subscription lists are all sten- 
cilled and the papers fed in a machine that prints 
each stencil card in the list. But the extra names 
or those for sample copies are written by folks 
who write so fast that you can’t see their pens 
move,” said Uncle Ben. 

“My! I don’t know what we shall do with 


THE NEW YORK PARTY 


29 

ourselves when this Christmas fun is over!” 
sighed Ruth. 

“Don’t sigh now , you goose ! Why, we 
haven’t even started the Christmas fun yet, and 
here you are sighing as if it was all gone!” cried 
Dot. 

They all laughed at that, and Ruth joined in. 

Then Uncle Ben reminded them it was high 
time they were off if the train was to be caught 
that night. 

As everyone shook hands and said good-night 
in the hotel lobby, they reminded each other to 
be sure to remember the Tree of Light on 
Christmas Night. 

All were soon bustled in taxi-cabs and travel- 
ling downtown to the Hudson Tubes. Many a 
glance was given the crowds constantly going up 
and down Broadway in the bright glare of elec- 
tric lights and over-head signs, and the children 
thought that New York at midnight was as light 
as Oakdale in the morning sunshine ! 

When in the cars on the way home, the party 
of Blue Bird and Bobolinks voted that they had 
had a great day ! Not only in pleasure and pas- 
time but in good work planned and promised for 


3 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


the future of their organization. And the mo- 
tion put by Dot and seconded by Ned, that they 
send a vote of thanks to Uncle Ben and his 
friends, was carried without a dissenting “Nay.” 


CHAPTER II 


AT THE TREE O E EIGHT 

The children were permitted to sleep later 
than usual the morning after the theatre party, 
but the moment the Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
met again, the entire talk was about the coming 
Tree of Light and what they could do to make 
a happy Christmas party for the Little Citizens 
of New York. 

“I tried to keep awake last night to remember 
the plan that came to me in bed, but I just 
couldn’t do it!” complained Ruth. 

“Ho! I should say you couldn’t! Why your 
eyelids were half shut all the way from PIo- 
boken!” cried Don. 

“No they weren’t, either, Don Starr! Ruth 
was wider awake than you were! I saw your 
head nod down and then jerk up every few min- 
utes, so there!” defended Dot. 

Don was so surprised to hear his twin-sister 
31 


32 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

take sides against him that he was silenced for 
the time being — at least he was silent for two 
whole minutes which is a long time for the Starr 
twins. 

During the moment of quiet that followed 
Ned made a suggestion. 

“I sat in the den this noon and figured out a 
plan that I believe is just the right thing.” 

“Let’s hear it — maybe we can help you polish 
up the idea,” added Jinks. 

“If you’ll let me speak without interruption 
again maybe I can tell you,” laughed Ned, while 
the children drew closer about him as he spoke. 

“If we make up some sort of a striking letter 
and have the engraver make a plate of it so we 
can print all the copies we need, we might send 
out this letter to every hotel-keeper and restau- 
rant man in Greater New York, so they can do- 
nate stufif or money for the refreshments for 
Madison Square Garden Christmas Night. 
Why, if everyone sent one quart of cream and a 
cake; see how many gallons of cream and how 
many hundreds of cakes we should have,” con- 
cluded Ned. 

“That sounds like a first-class idea, Ned!” 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


33 

cried Don, and the others joined in a chorus of 
approval. 

“I wonder if any of the Little Citizens will 
want sandwishes?” ventured Betty, who never 
said “sand wiches” 

“I guess those poor starved little things will 
take anything they can get, but we’ve got to be 
sensible you know, with such a big crowd,” 
added Mete Starr. 

“How many do you s’pose will be there ?” asked 
Frances. 

“Why, the man who will sing the Christmas 
Carols said there were at least ten thousand pres- 
ent last year when he sang out by the Tree — and 
this year, it being more generally known among 
the poor, he thinks there will be so many that they 
won’t all be able to get in the Garden, especially, 
if there is to be cake and ice-cream,” said Ned. 

“'Good gracious! Where will all the spoons 
and dishes come from?” wondered Dot. 

“Oh, I forgot to tell you! Mr. Richards 
told Uncle Ben that he was going after that rich 
man who owns the ten-cent stores and have him 
donate the paper plates and little tin spoons be- 


34 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

cause he keeps them in his stores, you know!” 
added Jinks. 

“That will be great !” murmured Don. 

“Ned, I wonder if anyone thought of giving 
out a ticket for refreshment to each child who 
enters the front door at the Garden? There 
ought to be some system to it, you know, or some 
of those street boys will get ten plates of cream 
while the meek, timid ones will get left!” de- 
clared Jinks. 

“That’s a wise remark, Jinks, and one we 
ought to mention to Uncle Ben,” replied Ned. 

“When will we see him again, do you think?” 
asked Mete. 

“He promised to come down from the city to- 
night and talk over different things with us,” re- 
turned Ned. 

“Then we’ll mention this ticket business and 
print them up on time — the Blue Birds can cut 
them apart and count them out in packages so 
we will know how many we have,” said Jinks. 

So the Publishing Company was told to print 
twenty thousand oblong tickets each one bearing 
the line “Good for a dish of cream.” 

Uncle Ben thought the idea of sending letters 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


35 

to hotel-men in the city a good one and the form 
of letter was constructed that same night. 

“That’s a fine letter, Uncle Ben,” complimented 
Ned. 

“And one that will bring forth frozen charity, 
eh?” laughed Uncle Ned. 

“As long as it’s flavored and called ice-cream 
we won’t care whether it’s frozen or boiled!” 
added Aunt Selina. 

Everyone laughed and Ruth said, “I thought of 
something this afternoon, but" it isn’t very im- 
portant.” 

“Maybe it is, how do we know?” encouraged 
Uncle Ben. 

“Well, if Mr. Richards would write some 
catchy articles for the newspapers a few days be- 
fore Christmas telling everyone what the Tree 
and donations are for, we will have all New York 
and towns round about it interested in the plan. 
Of course, hotel-men will like to think they are 
helping along something that everyone knows of 
and then they will send in heaps of ice-cream and 
cake — and who knows but what some of the rich- 
est of these hotel-owners will do lots more than 


36 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


give refreshments!” explained Ruth, while every- 
one listened attentively 

“I declare, Ruth will make a fine advertising 
man some day !” exclaimed Uncle Ben, while the 
others thought her idea a splendid one. 

“It is quite plain that you take after your Uncle 
Ben in your commercial instincts !” laughed Mr. 
Talmage. 

“It would have been more appropriate if Ruth 
had thought of the tickets and Ned of the ad- 
vertising!” commented Mrs. Talmage. 

“This is the day of the woman — spelled with a 
capital W — so how could Ruth take second place 
when her mother has such advanced ideas about 
the rights and votes for females!” teased Uncle 
Ben, who agreed with his quick-witted sister-in- 
law in all things. 

“But it does sound queer for such a little girl 
to have such big business ideas !” persisted Mrs. 
Talmage, who seemed to forget that Ruth had 
left her baby-clothes far behind her. 

Ruth’s idea was accepted as a good one and 
Uncle Ben consulted Mr. Richards who eagerly 
agreed to run a daily article in all of the papers 
he could win over to help on the plan. 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


37 


The result of the newspaper stories was that 
many people became interested and sent in dona- 
tions to carry on the interesting and helpful 
work started by the Blue Birds and Bobolinks. 
This made it possible for Uncle Ben to order a 
double quantity of Christmas Magazines to be 
freely distributed in the homes of the poor and 
the hospitals and asylums in greater New York. 

The tickets were printed and sent to the Chair- 
man of the Tree Committee; 'the letters were 
printed on dainty note paper and mailed to the 
list of hotel-men and restaurant men, and the 
willing replies to help cheered the children tre- 
mendously. From the articles mentioned in the 
daily papers, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
gathered that this Tree of Light was going to 
be a huge success long to be remembered by 
everyone. 

Then, one morning, when Daddum Starr 
opened his morning paper at Oakwood and Mr. 
Talmage glanced over his at Mossy Glenn they 
were astonished at what they saw. 

The whole second page was devoted to the 
fine work the children of Oakdale were doing and 
pictures of the Blue Birds and Bobolinks grouped 


38 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


in front of their barn publishing-house were 
shown. The article mentioned the Christmas 
cheer these children planned and the winter’s day 
outing they hoped to be able to give the Little 
Citizens of New York very soon. Then followed 
a request for warm hoods, mittens, sweaters, leg- 
gings, and any article of clothing that would help 
the poorly clad city children. But it was spe- 
cifically said that no cast-off or soiled garments 
should be sent to Oakdale — only new or perfectly 
whole and clean articles would be accepted. 

The long story ended with the plans under way 
for a camp at Happy Hills where hundreds of 
children could find rest and health all during the 
summer days. The name of the woman at the 
head of Welfare Work was mentioned as receiver 
of all gifts sent for this camp work.. 

“Well, that reads like Ben’s writing,” com- 
mented Mr. Talmage as he passed the paper to 
Ruth to see the pictures. 

“He said the other day that we couldn’t begin 
too soon to interest charitable people in this camp 
work,” said Ned. 

Then came a telegram from Uncle Ben calling 
a special meeting of the publishers at the offices 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


39 


of the company the coming Saturday afternoon 
at one o'clock. 

To be sure, they were all there and Uncle Ben 
spoke. 

“Mr. Richards has had so many inquiries about 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks that he has been re- 
quested to present all of you to the public on 
Christmas Night. Even the Little Citizens who 
have never been out here have heard of you from 
the fortunate ones who have met you and they 
wish to see and thank you. So, I want to coach 
you about getting up on the platform and making 
a bow to the audience. Then some of you may 
have to speak and tell of your hopes and plans." 

“Oh, Uncle Ben !” gasped everyone present 

“Yes, but there is more to tell ! The man who 
always gave the Tree of Light and paid the costs 
of it, is so pleased at the way you have abetted 
his work that he is going to address the public 
and enlist their sympathies in the whole work." 

“Oh, Uncle Ben!" gasped everyone again. 

“Do you know what you are asking us to do ?" 
cried Ned, tragically, pulling at his tousled hair 
in desperation. 

“Yes," laughed Uncle Ben; “I am asking you 


4 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

to face at least twenty thousand — or as many 
people as can crowd in the Garden. There will 
be thousands in the galleries who will be eager to 
view the “feeding of the multitudes” on the 
Lord’s Birthday. And it is not the material 
symbols of cream and cake that is rousing such 
a lively interest in New Yorkers, but the fact 
that a little group of children never heard of be- 
fore started a work for their little fellow citi- 
zens’ uplift and encouragement. The hearts of 
humans are so softened by this great World-War 
and the sufferings of mortals that it takes little 
now to change hardened hearts to compassion, 
So your work has touched the great mass of hu- 
manity and you should respond to the call to see 
and hear you.” 

Uncle Ben’s serious voice and the pictures he 
outlined in his words showed the young publish- 
ers what might result from their small begin- 
nings. 

“Say, Uncle Ben, if the other fellows won’t 
speak I will do it for them!” volunteered Don, 
after a time of silence. 

“I guess you would!” jeered the other boys. 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


4i 


“What would you say?” asked Uncle Ben, en- 
couragingly. 

“Oh, I’d tell the folks something that would 
make them sit up and take notice of Little Citi- 
zens!” bragged Don. 

“Just like Don ! He'd smash into a glass shop 
with a sledge-hammer !” roared Mete, while 
Uncle Ben smiled. 

“This speech is not to be considered as a joke, 
you know boys,” said Uncle Ben. “It will be so 
important a part of your success in the whole 
work that I had Mr. Richards make a note of the 
points you boys must try to bring out when you 
have the opportunity. Remember, a short speech 
of terse remarks is far more effective than a long 
one bristling with literary high-lights.” 

As the Blue Birds were not included in the 
speech-making they sat and listened to Uncle Ben 
train the Bobolink Boys. Then the girls were 
called upon to act as they would when they were 
called upon to present themselves on the platform 
before the public and acknowledge the honor by 
a bow. 

When the practise for that day was over, Ruth 


42 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


asked, “What part are you going to play in this 
performance, Uncle Ben?” 

“Well, they have chosen me to be a Santa 
Claus and hand out the magazines to those who 
pass by my booth.” 

“Oh, you’ll make a dandy Santa Claus !” 
laughed the children, clapping their hands. 

“Will you have on a red coat and long white 
whiskers?” asked Betty, smiling at the idea. 

“Yes, indeed! I must have on all of the trim- 
mings to make the little ones appreciate the books 
I give out to them.” 

Then Ned remarked, “It’s a funny thing, but 
here we are supposed to be the publishers and 
owners of a monthly magazine, and we haven’t 
seen or heard anything of the stories that are 
being published in our grand Christmas Number ! 
Did you ever hear of editors like that before?” 

“Oh, that’s quite the thing for editors who 
are worth millions. They merely bear the honor- 
able title of editor but they’d make a mess of the 
publications if they had to work on the material 
published. Why, we have one man who never 
even comes to America, let alone doing any edi- 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


43 


tonal work ! All he does is reap what he has not 
sown !” commented Uncle Ben, seriously. 

The children listened silently, and then Uncle 
Ben added : 

“But you are not going to be such a publisher ! 
You must take an active interest in your paper. 
This work of reaching your public is -more im- 
portant just now than doing press-work. How- 
ever, you will not have cause to complain when 
you see the magazine our men in New York will 
turn over to you.” 

“Em so afraid they won’t be ready for the 
Treat!” said Ruth, anxiously. 

“Why, great tiers of them are already waiting 
in the stock-room at Madison Square Garden — 
waiting for the little outstretched hands eager to 
take them. And what is more, I firmly believe 
that the Grownups will be as eager for a copy as 
any of your Little Citizens will be. If there are 
any left after the children are provided we might 
give them away to the adults to take 
home. But these were especially printed for dis- 
tribution among the children. I brought a few 
copies with me in my bag for you to approve. 
I think it is a mighty fine number,” said Uncle 


44 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

Ben, nodding his head at the young publishers. 

“Do you know, we have had so many other 
things to do this month that I never had a mo- 
ment to think of the magazine!” declared Jinks. 

“Which goes to show that my plan to print it 
in the city was a good idea, eh?” replied Uncle 
Ben. 

“You old fogies can sit here and browse over 
things past and gone, but / am going to the house 
and see that magazine !” exclaimed Ned, making 
for the door. 

“We’re all with you on that!” added the other 
boys, and before Uncle Ben could object he was 
left alone in the barn. 

Christmas Eve came and each Blue Bird and 
Bobolink found ample fun and gifts about their 
own trees, but the great event to which all had 
looked forward and worked for was yet to be — 
The Tree of Light in the city on Christmas 
Night. 

Long before complete darkness came over the 
city great numbers of children in every condition 
gathered at Madison Square about the giant tree. 
Most of them shivered with cold but felt it not, 
for their hearts and thoughts were filled with 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


45 


anticipation of all they had heard would occur 
that night. 

The Blue Birds and bobolinks were marshalled 
up to the tree near the raised platform where 
the great singer would give the masses the har- 
mony of his Christmas Carols. Ipere they could 
look over the multitude and wonder at the vast 
number of poor children who seemed not to have 
had a Christmas until that night. 

Promptly at seven-thirty the singer stood 
upon the platform and raised one hand for atten- 
tion. Instantly a hush fell over the great audi- 
ence, thus subsiding the confusion that had 
hitherto reigned. 

“J am going to sing our wonderful Christmas 
hymn, then ‘Hark, the Herald Angels/ and con- 
clude my solos with ‘Holy Night.’ After that 
I am going to sing for you one verse of ‘March, 
March, March/ so as to give you the tune and 
swing of this fine marching song, and all who 
intend joining us in the Garden must fall in line 
and sing with me as we march to the building 
to see what Santa Claus has brought each one 
of you. Now, remember! You must all hum 


4 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


the tune as you march or you won’t be a good 
Comrade !” 

As the clear far-reaching voice stopped at the 
conclusion of “Holy Night,” the speaker waited 
a few moments to give the crowds time to pre- 
pare for the march and then he started to sing 

i 

the first verse. 

“March, march, march, march! 

March, comrades, march along. 

March, march, march, march, 

March, a hundred million strong! 

On through dark and battle’s road, 

On where none has dared before. 

On to pay the ages’ score; 

March, march, march! 

Forward, comrades, 

March, march, forever, 

Up with the break of day, 

Out on the trackless way! 

Ours the will that must and can, 

Ours to own creation’s plan, 

Ours to win the world for man: 

March, comrades, march !” * 

During the last few lines of the inspiring song 
the little children, with entire thought concen- 
trated on the singer, felt the thrilling measures 

* Marching song by Arthur Farwell ; copyrighted and 
published by G. Shirmer. 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 47 

of the music and hummed unconsciously as they 
listened. 

The first verse sung, the singer left the plat- 
form and motioned to Uncle Ben and Mr. Rich- 
ards, who stood at the foot of the platform steps, 
to lead their little band directly after him. He 
began singing with all his heart and started to 
march toward the Garden, followed by the Blue 
Birds and Bobolink Band humming the tune, 
while Uncle Ben and Mr. Richards sang the 
words for all their worth — they knew the song 
well, it appeared. 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks had not seen or 
heard of the decorations at the Garden, so they 
were as pleased as their little guests when they 
first entered the brilliantly illuminated hall and 
saw the draped greens from box to box, and the 
giant tree in the center of the great floor. 
Christmas trees stood up against each partition 
that led to the stairs going up to the balconies, 
and Boy Scouts were stationed at intervals to 
maintain order. At the far end of the hall stood 
a platform which glistened with artificial snow 
— the white cotton that festooned the green 
branches enclosing the dais, as well as that 


48 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

spread upon the flooring, was thickly sprinkled 
with diamond dust. 

As each child marched in at the wide front 
doors, a ticket was handed him, which permitted 
the bearer to have a dish of ice-cream and a slice 
of cake. 

The hotel-men had responded most liberally to 
the call for donations to the treat, and of course, 
many of them were present to see the sight that 
promised such pleasure to the children. As the 
laughter and cries of happy childhood were 
heard everywhere that night, the Grownups felt 
that too many of these treats given in all big 
cities could not be held, for there were plenty of 
Little Citizens waiting for joy. 

Then came Santa Claus out of a dark corner 
with a well-filled pack upon his back. Directly 
behind him came a number of little boys and 
girls who were to assist Santa in handing out 
magazines to every Little Citizen present that 
night. 

Word flew from mouth to mouth that these 
were the little children comprising the publish- 
ing company that planned and did the work of 
so many fine things for Little Citizens. When 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


49 


the magazines had been distributed the singer 
who had marshalled the public to the Garden 
stood upon the platform and said, “I wish to 
introduce our friends from Oakdale and when 
we hear what they have to say for themselves, 
I suggest that we approve their plans with a 
'Hip, Hip, Hurrah!’ ” 

But such zeal did the Little Citizens feel for 
their publishers that they shouted at once, with 
such fervor that the waves of sound seemed to 
lift the roof of the great structure. 

During the confusion that occurred with the 
shouting, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks climbed 
up to the platform to make a bow to the public 
who eagerly welcomed their appearance. 

The children who had given their tickets for 
cream and cake to the cashier, had received a 
smaller ticket which said the bearer was entitled 
to one copy of a magazine. As the Scouts 
formed the line, the children passed by the plat- 
form where the Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
handed out copies of their magazine as fast as 
their hands could move. 

When it seemed that every child had been 
provided with a copy of the Christmas number, 


5 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

there was a call for the young publishers to show 
themselves and speak. 

This was a momentous time for the Oakdale 
boys who had never before faced so vast an 
audience, and many a grown man would have 
quailed at the thought of speaking to so many 
thousands; so it was pardonable if Mete and Ned 
spoke in trembling voices, while Tuck and some 
of the other boys were speechless. Jinks and 
Don, however, acquitted themselves as usual, 
Jinks taking the burden of Ned’s speech upon 
himself, while Don decided to add the few ex- 
planatory words his brother Mete had been 
expected to deliver. 

Don concluded in a ringing voice that reached 
the farthest corners of the great Garden, “So 
now, folks, we want all of you who have the 
money to give and help the children to get warm 
clothes to wear when they come out to our sleigh- 
ride party. And every child here is invited to 
come and spend the day in the country and slide 
and skate and sleighride down our hills, at the 
time you see it given out in the newspapers. 
This man here (taking hold of Mr. Richards’ 
coat and pulling him forward) will look after 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 


5i 


that end of the party, and let you all know. From 
present appearances, it looks as if we might have 
the party the first of next week — if the snow 
lasts.” 

During the last words of the speech, titterings 
could be heard as people tried to stifle their 
laughter at the brave little speaker, but the mo- 
ment Don made his bow and backed away from 
the front of the platform, the house fairly 
cracked with the clapping and applause given his 
invitation. 

Then Uncle Ben took advantage of the spirit 
manifested, and jumped up to add a few words. 

“As we are all gathered at this time, and it 
seems as if no better time could be found, I say 
that the Blue Birds and Bobolinks and Boy 
Scouts pass about the galleries where all of our 
friends are seated and take up a collection for 
the buying of the warm apparel necessary to give 
comfort to the children who will visit the coun- 
try next week. This will save time and expense 
in collecting the fund between this and next 
week.” 

This was vigorously approved by the younger 
element, so the collection was made then and 


52 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

there, while reporters of city newspapers were 
kept busy emptying and counting the sums col- 
lected by the solicitors. During the children’s 
speech-making, the singer who had given his 
interest to the entertainment, had discovered 
other famous singers and he now drew them 
upon the platform to assist in entertaining the 
multitude while the collections were being taken 
up. 

Thus it was that the audience in that gather- 
ing were treated to solos from half a score of 
famous singers who eagerly gave their talents 
to insure success to this benevolent meeting. 

When the singing was over, Uncle Ben stood 
up and said: “Now, children, everyone who 
wishes to go out to the country for a winter’s 
day sport next week must apply to the Chairman 
of this entertainment and receive a ticket for the 
day, as well as leave his name and address. The 
railroad company will give us free passage on 
their road and we must know how many children 
intend going, so that sufficient carriage can be 
provided. The mittens, caps and mufflers will 
be distributed when you get off the train, so 
don’t worry about those things.” 


AT THE TREE OF LIGHT 53 

Even before Uncle Ben had finished his direc- 
tions to the audience, many of his hearers began 
calling to him, “I wanta go!” or “Give me a 
ticket !” so that it became necessary for the Boy 
Scouts to hurry into the crowd and keep order. 


CHAPTER III 


THE: CHRISTMAS NUMBER O E THE MAGAZINE 

So many demands had been made on the time 
and thought of our Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
that not one of the children had really taken 
sufficient leisure to look over or read the stories 
contributed by the well-known New Yorkers. 
The day after Christmas, however, there seemed 
to be a great void of work in thfcir lives, and 
they all gathered at the Publishing House to talk 
about things and plan for the Country Outing 
which was to take place the following week. 

While the others were eagerly discussing the 
outing, Ned was poring over the magazine made 
by the regular printers in the city. He could 
not see that there was any difference between 
the issue published by his Bobolinks or this one 
done by the trade in New York. Consequently, 
he felt elated to think his own club had done 
such good work on the preceding issue. Then 
54 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


55 

he read some of the articles sent in to Uncle Ben 
by friends. 

“I say, did you boys and girls read any of 
these stories given in our Christmas Number ?” 
asked he. 

“Not yet! Let’s hear some of them now,” 
replied Jinks. 

“Who brought their magazines?” questioned 
Mete, looking about to find that only a few of 
the children had brought any. “A package of 
extra copies came by express this morning, and 
we can use them,” suggested Mete. So the pack- 
age which had not been opened was hastily torn 
apart and everyone was handed a copy of the 
paper. 

“It certainly is a good-looking number, isn’t 
it?” approved Don, scanning the pages. 

“Not any better than the one we made all 
alone!” defended Ruth. 

“I should say not! Ours was just as fine!” 
added Ned. 

“Here’s a good short article by that woman 
teacher in singing. She was at the Garden last 
night and told me how interested she was in our 
work for the poor children. She gave a five- 


56 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


dollar bill to Uncle Ben for warm clothing for 
the outing party!” commended Jinks, reading 
the article mentioned. 

“Read it out loud, Jinks,” cried Don, and the 
others seconded his motion. 

So Jinks cleared his throat and read: 

“Did any of you children ever hear of Jenny 
Lind? Well, she was one of the greatest singers 
that has ever lived. 

“She was born way over in Sweden and began 
to sing when she was still a child so young as to 
be termed a baby. Before she was nine years 
of age she was admitted to the Conservatory and 
was a public singer and a great favorite before 
she was twelve. 

“Then the little girl had a great sorrow, for 
she lost her beautiful voice. However, in a few 
years, it came back suddenly and she sang more 
beautifully than ever. 

“When she was twenty she was made Court 
Singer, which was a great honor. One evening, 
after singing at the opera in Vienna, over a 
thousand people followed her carriage home and 
she had to come to her window thirty times to 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


57 

bow to the enthusiastic crowd that continued to 
applaud her. 

“In England Queen Victoria was so delighted 
with her singing that she wanted to give her 
many things, but Jenny Lind would only accept 
a bracelet. This she always prized very highly. 

“She gave concerts in America for almost twq 
years and made a great deal of money. And 
what do you think she did with it? She gave it 
all to help other people. Some of it she gave to 
send boys and girls to school. With some she 
built hospitals and did all sorts of things to make 
people happy. She sang so beautifully that she 
was called ‘The Swedish Nightingale/ but she 
did so many lovely things that I am sure if she 
had lived to-day, she would have been truly called 
a Blue Bird.” 

When Jinks concluded, the children smiled 
happily at their books, for this was the kind of a 
story they loved to have appear in their magazine. 

“Say, Jinks, do you suppose we can get this 
lady to do some more short articles for us? 
Maybe she will help in our next magazine ?” 
queried Ned, thoughtfully. 


58 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“Does anyone know her address ?” asked 
practical Don. 

“Uncle Ben will surely have it ! She is a great 
friend of his, you know,” added Ruth. 

“We’ll ask him to-night when he comes in 
from town. We will just make a note of this 
and try to get her to send us something every 
month!” declared Ned. 

“What’s the next good story we had given us 
by the folks at that theatre party?” asked Dot. 

“Why, there’s that story of the Scottish Poet 
that was sent in by that nice dark young man 
who has done so much good work with the chil- 
dren’s story hours at the libraries and at the 
museums. He was the man Mr. Richard chums 
with, you know!” replied Mete. 

“I wonder why he didn’t sign his name to this 
story?” wondered Don, looking over the story 
in question. 

“Oh, I know! He told Uncle Ben that his 
particular line was botany and nature stories, 
but he had no time to get one ready at such short 
notice so he sent us this. He promised to write 
us a plant story for our next issue,” explained 
Ned. 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


59 


“Oh, that's fine ! Then we can print his name 
on it, can't we?” cried Ruth, eagerly. 

“Yes, but do keep quiet and let Jinks read this 
one!” admonished Ned. 

“Upon the rugged hills of Scotland, a poor 
shepherd watched his master's flocks ; and always 
in faithful attendance, following closely at James' 
heels, came the shepherd-dog, Sirrah. At times, 
the flock numbered as many as several hundred 
sheep and many lambs and these had to be driven 
to the pastures upon the hillsides and carefully 
watched that none might stray. 

“Day after day, James and his dog drove the 
flocks from one grassy pasture to another, but 
at noon hour the dog was left to watch the 
grazing sheep while his master ate dinner by a 
spring and rested under a shady tree. 

“One dark night, while James and his dog were 
on the hill-top with a flock of seven hundred 
sheep and lambs, a severe storm arose. The 
wind whistled shrilly and the thunder rolled, 
while the lightning forked in every direction. 
The rain poured down heavily and the little 
lambs grew so frightened that their bleating 


Co THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


made the sheep run hither and thither. Finally 
they started a stampede, some in one direction 
and some in another. 

“The distracted shepherd boy wandered up 
and down the hills with lighted lantern in hand 
calling for his flocks. But no sound or sight 
could he get of a single sheep. Even the dog 
seemed to have deserted his master at this awful 
time. 

“Two or three other shepherds were called to 
help James in the search, but morning came and 
still there was no sign of the flocks, even though 
every place where sheep would be likely to take 
shelter was examined carefully. 

“At last, weary and discouraged, James cried, 
Tt’s no use! I must go to the master and report 
that I have lost the entire flock!’ 

“So, with heart aching for the dear little lambs 
he loved and the sheep he had herded so long, 
James started home. 

“He had gone about two miles along the trail 
when he came to a deep and narrow ravine that 
ended in a wide pocket-like enclosure between 
the cliffs; but the approach to this 'pocket’ was 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


6 1 


by a gradual descent from the hills where the 
flocks usually fed. 

“As he drew near to this ravine, James spied 
a few lambs gamboling about the bushes. He 
swung himself out upon a ledge of rock to see if 
by any possible chance these lambs might belong 
to him, and there he saw Sirrah standing upon 
a flat-topped rock, watching over the entire 
flock. He was patiently waiting for his master’s 
coming to take the sheep away. 

“James called eagerly to his two friends and 
they all hastened to the ravine. Here they 
counted the sheep and lambs and found every one 
safe — not one was missing! Then was Sirrah 
proud. His master praised him for his sagacity 
and patted his shaggy head again and again. 

“But how did the dog manage to gather the 
flock and hold them in that narrow pocket? 

“Only Sirrah can answer that question, and 
he has left this world of work now. But a 
shepherd dog is very intelligent and sometimes 
accomplishes things almost impossible for a hu- 
man to do. 

“This shepherd boy was a born poet and dur- 
ing the solitudes upon the hills, he taught him- 


62 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


self to read and write so that when he was grown 
to manhood he wrote poems for others to read 
and enjoy. He became very famous in time and 
was known as the 'Scottish Poet/ and many of 
his verses were written for the children he always 
loved so well.” 

Jinks finished the reading and the children 
applauded the story, then asked each other who 
had read the poems of the Scottish poet, James 
Hogg. 

"Oh, here’s a fine story contributed by the man 
who founded the Woodcraft League. He knows 
all about the Indians and he can tell an Indian 
story better than anyone in the country; at least 
Uncle Ben says so, ’cause he has heard him 
heaps of times. Uncle Ben is a member of the 
League, you know, and he goes to all of the 
meetings and Councils !” cried Ruth, eagerly. 

"Well, s’pose you read this one, Ruth!” said 
Jinks. 

"I can’t read as well as you do, Jinks, and 
maybe the others would rather hear you tell it!” 
replied Ruth, humbly. 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 63 

“Oh, pshaw! You can so read it as well as 
Jinks! Go ahead and begin !” declared Dot 

So Ruth read the legend of the Seneca Peace 
Queen : 

“Sweet as the breath of spring and gentle as 
a summer zephyr was the young Peace Queen 
of the Senecas. Her lodge in the forest was ever 
quiet and restful, for no angry words or quar- 
reling tones were heard there. The forest trail 
that led thither was well worn, but the great 
Queen chosen by Hiawatha before his death 
dwelt alone. 

“The vision of Minnehaha came by night and 
whispered wisdom in the shell-like ears of the 
Queen and in the morning she arose to comfort 
the sad, calm the angry, and care for the sick. 
And as she walked from the lodges of her peo- 
ple, happiness reigned in every heart, for had 
not their beautiful Queen visited them? 

“One morning, as she looked from her lodge- 
opening, she saw two wrathful braves, one from 
the Oneida, the other from the Onondaga tribes. 

“What is wrong with my brothers? Can I 


64 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


make peace between thee?’ asked the Queen 
gently. 

“The Onondaga, a great chief, tall and strong, 
spoke : Teace-Queen, while hunting in the 

forest, my arrow brought down a buck. As I 
drew near to take my prize, this brave came 
through the woods to claim the buck for his own 
— he says that his arrow slew the trophy. We 
quarreled and gave trial with skillful weapons, 
but neither could win, so we came hither/ 

“As the Onondaga concluded, the Queen 
turned toward the Oneida as straight as a young 
pine with eyes as keen and bright as an eagle’s, 
and said, What says the Oneida?’ 

“ ‘My brother speaks truth in part, but my 
arrow shot the buck, not his,’ replied the Oneida. 

“Then spake the Onondaga eagerly : ‘Let the 
Peace-Queen judge!’ 

“Chief of the Onondaga, you have spoken 
well. Divide the buck and take your share to 
your lodge and give unto the hungry there. The 
buck is large and the Oneida will have all he 
may carry to his wife and papooses,’ said the 
Queen. 

“The Onondaga bowed his head, but said, 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


65 

‘Peace-Queen, the plague carried away my be- 
loved and none has filled her place since. I ask 
the maiden before me to come and sit in my 
lodge and eat venison beside my fire.’ 

“Then flashed the eyes of the Oneida as he 
moved to strike down his brother, but the Peace- 
Queen silenced them with a look as she replied 
to the Onondaga : ‘Many maidens are there who 
will joyfully sit beside your fire, but I am chosen 
to be a Peace-Queen to the tribes and cannot be 
wife to any brave/ 

“The Onondaga bowed his head meekly and 
divided the buck, taking his half away as he 
went slowly through the forest aisles. 

“The Oneida held high his head and 
watched silently until the Onondaga was lost to 
sight. Then he turned and approached the 
young Queen eagerly and was about to speak 
with ardent words, but the Peace-Queen warned 
him by saying, ‘Go in peace!’ 

“The handsome youth, however, daringly said, 
‘The son of the Oneidas sits alone in his wigwam 
and longs for his bride — will the Peace-Queen 
come ?’ 

“Then answered the Queen in terms of loving 


66 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


rebuke: 'The Peace-Queen goes to no man’s 
lodge for wife. Be friends with her and govern 
your people in peace and wisdom.’ 

"So the Oneida went alone, but no maiden 
ever sat in his wigwam and cooked venison for 
him for he loved the Peace-Queen with a fervent 
and lasting love. 

"The young and beautiful Peace-Queen re- 
mained to judge all her people, for she had been 
chosen by the tribes, but in her heart forever 
sang the sweet voice of love for the Oneida brave 
who proved himself a worthy chief of his 
people.” 

Ruth finished her reading with a sweet tone 
of regret sounding for the Queen, and Dot ex- 
claimed, the moment the story ended: 

"If I’d been that beautiful young queen, I 
would have gone with the fine young brave!” 

"Not if you had to be a queen and take care 
of a whole lot of Indians!” retorted her brother 
Don. 

"Well, then I’m glad I’m not a queen,” sighed 
Dot. 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 67 

“So are we all,” laughed Ned, pulling Dot’s 
short hair. 

“Is that all the new stuff we were given this 
month?” asked Tuck Stevens. 

“Oh, no, there’s heaps more, but we ought to 
be doing something else besides reading to each 
other,” advised Mete. 

“Oh, I don’t know! We had such a full day 
yesterday that we deserve a little lazy time, I 
think,” replied Ned. 

“Of course. And, besides, there isn’t anything 
we really can do to-day. Not until Uncle Ben 
comes home to give us new plans to work on,” 
added Ruth. 

“Aunt Selina’s chapter of the Civil War story 
is good, isn’t it?” now commented Betty. 

“Yes, and the chapter Mrs. Catlin added, too,” 
came from Dot. 

“Oh, say, folks ! Here’s a short story from the 
secretary of the National Audubon Society!” 
cried Jinks, as he turned over the pages of his 
magazine and found the article. 

“What page?” eagerly asked some Blue Birds, 
while others were seeking for the story. 


68 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“On page 14 , headed 'To Help Our Birds/ ” 
replied Ned. 

The article was one that requested all children 
to start feeding-grounds for birds at their homes 
or in the school-yards. It explained how simple 
and safe bird-houses could be made and fastened 
in trees or on poles or houses. How a bird-bath 
and feed-trough should be constructed and, above 
all, to always have a dish or pan of water for 
the birds, as many of them died of thirst in 
winter when the streams were frozen over. 

He then went on to say how the birds loved 
to peck at a piece of suet in winter as it kept 
them warm and healthy. How important it was 
to scatter grain about the ground as well as in 
the troughs, for many birds were too timid to 
come to the trough to feed, but would fly down 
and snatch a seed from the ground and fly away 
to eat it. The article concluded with the offer 
to send patterns and directions of bird-houses 
and feeding dishes free, if the children would 
but make them and see that they were erected in 
places where the birds would nest and feed. 

“Say, that’s a fine idea, do you know it!” ex- 
claimed Dot, enthusiastically. 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


69 


“Yes, and I say we ought to start something 
like this in our Oakdale school at once/’ added 
Ruth. 

“We will! We’ll write for those patterns and 
directions at once, and begin a Bird Club at 
school!” declared Ned. 

“Here’s a short article written by the Welfare 
Lady,” announced Betty. 

“It’s your turn to read now, Betty,” declared 
Ruth. 

“I’m glad it is a short story, then,” laughed 
Betty, as she took her paper over to the window 
to see the type. 

“Dear little Blue Birds: I am going to tell 
you the true story of a little girl in the slums of 
the city. Maybe you will meet her soon and find 
out how much she can enjoy the outing you pro- 
pose giving the children. Personally, I wish to 
have Pauline go to the country and see some- 
thing other than the work she has always to 
attend to. 

“Little Pauline never heard of Blue Birds, or 
had any happy time in her life, for she has had 


70 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


to earn her own living ever since she can re- 
member. 

“Pauline is eight years old and she stands 
upon a wet, slimy ground froin four o’clock in 
the morning until four or five in the evening, 
shucking oysters. Sometimes, she has to begin 
work at three o’clock — just when other little girls 
are cuddling down closer under downy blankets 
to keep out the raw chill of an early winter’s 
dawn. 

“Paulina’s clothes are not sufficient to keep out 
cold or rain, and the shacks where she has to 
work have wide cracks in the walls, through 
which the piercing cold enters and the wailing 
wind whistles to make one shiver. 

“The sharp oyster shells, partly opened by 
steaming, must be separated with a knife and 
the contents dropped into a pot that hangs at 
Pauline’s side. This little girl receives five cents 
for each pot filled, the pot holding about four 
pounds of oysters. Work as hard as she possibly 
can, Pauline, or any other little child — they range 
from five to ten years of age — can never fill more 
than four pots a day, so that makes twenty cents 
a day each quick worker may earn. You see, my 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


7i 


little Blue Birds and Bobolinks, twenty cents a 
day does not allow the little worker much spend- 
ing money after a bed and something to eat is 
paid for. Scarcely anything is left for clothes, 
and not a cent for pleasure or outing. This is 
why I take such a great interest in your club that 
is destined to help so many ‘Little Citizens/ 

“Some of the younger children who work in 
this oyster factory, work hard all day and fill 
only two pails. That pays them ten cents a day ; 
and for all this labor, standing in cold, wet places, 
tired and bruised, with cut hands and fingers, 
our Little Citizens can hardly earn enough to 
buy a big hot dish of good soup — without a cent 
for anything else. 

“And this is one of the awful mistakes our 
great United States is making — to permit its 
Little Citizens to work and kill themselves with- 
out help of any kind. This is why the National 
Child Labor Committee is trying to show the 
people that children are far more important than 
oysters or shrimps. And this is why I am heart- 
ily interested in seeing your club succeed in its 
undertaking, for you are on the right track. 

“If you wish me to write any new true stories 


72 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


of the little workers who slave for a living, or if 
I can help you in any way, I will gladly do so. 
Just address me at the headquarters of the Child 
Welfare Organization, East 22nd Street, New 
York City.” 

“My! how awful!” breathed Ruth when Betty 
finished the letter. 

“I never dreamed it was as bad as all that!” 
exclaimed Jinks. 

“Nor I,” added Ned, seriously. 

“Say, can’t we do something right away?” 
cried Dot. 

“Children, I think we are doing the right 
thing,” came a voice from the doorway, where 
stood Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina. 

“Did you hear this letter, mother ?” cried Ruth. 

“Yes, but we have read it before and I had a 
talk with the writer of the letter; she says our 
little magazine will get into homes and show 
kind-hearted folks just what is going on, and in 
this way we are doing far more to help all so- 
cieties of benevolence than if we were sending 
money or clothes.” 

“I see! Then it’s up to each one of us to keep 


CHRISTMAS NUMBER 


73 


our little magazine and its stories so good and 
interesting that everyone will want to read it the 
moment it reaches them,” declared Ned, sensibly. 

“That’s just it! Some of the great-hearted 
people who met you at the Garden last night 
fear you will soon lose interest in this pastime 
of publishing, and, as so many children do, 
shirk the work and merely pat down the articles 
any old way, as long as you can say they are 
printed,” commented Mrs. Talmage. 

The big boys flared up at that and some of the 
Blue Birds cried: “You denied that, I hope!” 

“I told them that you fully understood the re- 
sponsibility of the work, and the boys took the 
keenest delight in the printing, and that as each 
one of you enjoyed the plans of helping others 
there was little danger of an immediate suspen- 
sion of the periodical,” smiled Mrs. Talmage. 

“And I told them that even if the Blue Birds 
and Bobolinks quit publishing, I would person- 
ally obligate myself to go on with the paper, as 
it* was in such a worthy cause. Then Uncle Ben 
came up and said, Til have something to say 
about that, too, as this has been my pet child for 
years and years. If it is ever found necessary, 


74 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


I will resign from all other work and devote my- 
self to this magazine as long as there is a need 
for such a paper to be issued/ Of course that 
gave everyone confidence, for your Uncle Ben is 
known to do exactly as he says he will,” said 
Aunt Selina. 

“Hurrah for Aunt Selina and Uncle Ben, say 
I !” shouted Don, at this moment. 

“Hip, hip, hurrah!” came from every young 
throat there and the noise was so deafening that 
both Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage ran from 
the barn. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE WINTER OUTING 

The week following the Christmas Treat at 
the Garden was so filled with important work 
that not one of the Blue Birds had time to won- 
der whether the day wopld be clear or the snow 
would last for the anticipated party. 

The articles and stories for the ensuing 
month’s issue of the magazine had to be care- 
fully read and arranged, and Uncle Ben again 
insisted upon having the manual labor of print- 
ing and binding done in the city, whence the 
wrapped magazines could be mailed. 

“Uncle Ben, this makes two times since we 
have really printed our paper, and maybe you 
will ask us to give it up again/’ grumbled Ned, 
who liked the fun of printing. 

“Oh, no, indeed! If you saw the bills I had 
to pay for the work done on the Christmas num- 
ber, you wouldn’t fear my doing this thing very 
often,” laughed Uncle Ben. 

75 


7 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Why, that’s so! You had to pay someone 
for that work!” exclaimed Dot Starr, suddenly 
realizing what it must have cost. 

“Did you fancy that city printers work for 
fun?” quizzed Jinks. 

“Aside from costs and such things, it is really 
the only thing to do with this issue, children. 
You must take charge of this winter outing for 
Little Citizens, and the magazine ought to come 
out on time, too. As both important matters 
cannot be properly done by you, it is best to let 
the least important be done by hired help — hence 
my decision,” said Uncle Ben. 

“Well, Uncle Ben knows what he is talking 
about, so I say that we let him do it and help 
him all we can by keeping our complaints to our- 
selves,” declared Don, frank as usual. 

“Second that motion!” laughed Mete, and so 
Uncle Ben was told to act as he thought best in 
the interests of the work. 

From the day after Christmas until the day 
of the outing, boxes and huge packages arrived 
at the Oakdale express office, until the agent de- 
clared that the railroad would have to build him 


THE WINTER OUTING 


77 


a new baggage office if the amount of shipping 
continued in such volume. 

But every one of these boxes was addressed to 
Blue Birds or “Little Citizens’ Outing,” care of 
Mossy Glen, Oakdale. And when the boxes were 
opened in the Publishing House, they contained 
all colors and grades of mittens, leggings, 
sweaters, hoods, and a big knitting mill sent a 
hundred knitted vests to wear under coats or 
wraps. 

“Uncle Ben, what a wise old man you are!” 
cried Don Starr the night before the outing, 
when the club had finished unpacking the last 
box to arrive that afternoon. 

“Now what?” laughed Uncle Ben, pinching 
Don’s ear. 

“ ’Cause you must have known this barn would 
be so filled with goods that there wouldn’t be a 
speck of room for printing,” returned Don, 
pointing proudly at the tiers of woolen goods 
piled all around the walls of the publishing head- 
quarters. 

“Cross my heart, I didn’t! I thought of the 
time it would take to plan for the sports and the 
going about the countryside to ask for the loans 


78 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

of sleds and bobs, or skates, but I quite forgot 
the room these donations would take,” said 
Uncle Ben. 

“Well, 'all’s well that ends well,’ Uncle Ben, 
and so far everything has ended far beyond our 
expectations!” declared Ned. 

"And all we have to do now is to meet the ten- 
forty train at the station in Oakdale,” added 
Ruth. 

"How about the hot cocoa and biscuits the 
Grownups are going to serve here in the barn?” 
asked Uncle Ben. 

"Oh, that’s their affair! We haven’t bothered 
about it at all. Aunt Selina sent to a ten-cent 
store in New York and bought many grosses of 
cheap spoons — I think they were ten cents a 
dozen, just made for picnics — and hundreds of 
drinking cups made of pressed pulp, and so 
cheap that they could be thrown away when once 
used. All that arrived by express yesterday. 
Mother and Mrs. Starr got the cocoa and Mrs. 
Catlin drove around the country and bought up 
enough cream to use,” Ned explained. 

"And you children think you have enough bobs 


THE WINTER OUTING 


79 

and hand-sleighs to accommodate a crowd ?” 
asked Uncle Ben. 

“Yes, because you see a lot of children will 
prefer riding in the big straw-filled farm sleighs 
drawn by horses, to coasting down the hill. In 
fact, mother says all of the youngest children 
should go in the big horse-sleds and leave the 
coasting for the older children,” said Ruth. 

“Yes, your mother is right. We will see that 
that plan is carried out,” replied Uncle Ben, 
thoughtfully. 

“How about the skating, Uncle Ben ? The big 
lake is all frozen over and the river is quite safe, 
but we couldn’t borrow as many pairs of skates 
as we thought we could,” said Jinks. 

“To tell the truth, Jinks, I doubt if many of 
these city children can skate, and I’m sure not 
many of them would want to use their precious 
day in learning to skate. For those who can and 
wish to skate, you probably will have enough 
pairs to go around.” 

That night at the Talmage home, Uncle Ben 
heard that most of the ladies of Oakdale had 
offered their services in taking care of the crowd 


8o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


of city children and see that all were properly 
cared for during the outing. 

First, the half-clad youngest ones were to be 
cozily dressed in the warm garments provided, 
and then they would be snugly tucked in farm- 
sleighs filled with straw and sent off on a real 
joy-ride across the snow-covered country. 

Next, the older children would be warmly 
robed and permitted to coast or slide or skate to 
their heart’s content. 

Hot cocoa and biscuits were to be had for the 
asking at the barn, so that no one need feel 
hungry or chilly during the day. Then at one 
o’clock, great bowls of hot beef-stew and bread 
and butter would be served to everyone, the 
children coming in installments to eat their por- 
tion. 

At three o’clock all would march back to the 
trains that brought them out and this would com- 
plete a wonderful day in the white-covered coun- 
try where snow-battles, coasting and skating was 
the rule, instead of the city’s dirty, slippery side- 
walks, slushy roadways where horses slipped and 
fell, and everybody got wet feet. 

Uncle Ben had asked the Oakdale Band to be 


THE WINTER OUTING 


81 


present at the arrival of the train the morning 
of the outing, and this gave a festive air to the 
entire procedure. All the little publishers were 
on hand at the station to welcome the Little 
Citizens. 

It was with great surprise, then, that the Blue 
Birds and Bobolinks found the brass band wait- 
ing at the railroad station to welcome the city 
children. Uncle Ben was there talking to the 
leader, and the moment he saw the club walking 
towards the station he hurried out to meet them. 

“I have an idea! You all know how the 
children liked to sing and march to the Garden 
on Christmas Day — well, as long as the band is 
here to lead us to Mossy Glen, why not have the 
children form in line and sing as they march 
along from here to the publishing house where 
the clothes are kept? This will keep them all 
moving in step and interest them enough to keep 
them from lagging behind or feeling cold.” 

“You’re right, Uncle Ben — as you always 
are,” agreed Ned, eagerly, while all the others 
declared it was a fine idea. 

When the train pulled in, several prominent 
people who had been present at the Blue Bird 


82 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


party in New York stepped off and greeted the 
children. 

“Do you know, we had to come in two sections 
— there are so many little ones eager to spend a 
day in the country!” exclaimed the secretary of 
the Audubon Society. 

“And the railroad company had to hustle to 
find extra coaches to carry the second division,” 
added the secretary of the Woodcraft League. 

“Will they all get here?” worried Ruth, lest 
some be deprived of their fun. 

“Oh, yes, but they will arrive at least twenty 
minutes later — they were all being marshalled 
into the cars when we pulled out of the terminal,” 
replied the Welfare lady. 

“We left our Big Chief and Mrs. Remington 
with the second section, with Mr. Richards and 
his friends to keep order. Now, shall we start 
off and leave room for the arrival of the other 
division?” said Mr. Fagus. 

“The Band can’t march this section to Mossy 
Glen and get back in time for the second half, 
and besides we have arranged to have a big 
moving picture company stand at the corner of 
Main Street and take pictures as we all march 


THE WINTER OUTING 


83 


past. Some other plan must be devised to keep 
the entire party together/' said Uncle Ben with 
a frown in his forehead. 

The Bobolinks felt that they must relieve 
Uncle Ben of such a care and they drew together 
to discuss ways and means. 

‘We'll take the boys over in that empty lot 
and play a sham battle while the rest of you folks 
take care of the girls," finally suggested Ned, 
coming up to the perplexed men. 

“That's fine ! I tell you it takes a boy to think 
up stunts!" laughed Mr. Fagus. Then he called 
to all of the boys who stood idly about wonder- 
ing why they were not doing something. 

“Uncle Ben, here, has engaged a moving- 
picture man to take our pictures as we march up 
Main Street, boys, but we are not ready to start 
right off as we must wait for the second train to 
come in with the rest of our party. We expect 
to have these moving pictures shown in every 
theatre on the company's circuit, and to every 
boy who recognises himself in the parade we 
are going to give a prize of some sort. Now, 
as we may have to wait a few minutes for the 
second train to arrive, the Bobolink boys have 


84 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


suggested that you all pile over that fence and 
choose sides for a sham battle in the snow. We 
big ones will umpire and the girls can watch from 
the roadside.” 

Uncle Ben smiled as he heard the quick inter- 
pretation given the plan by Mr. Fagus, and the 
boys shouted gayly as they rushed for the rail 
fence dividing the road from the vacant field. 

With many hands at work, a snow wall was 
soon erected and the boys chose sides for the 
battle. The age and size of the combatants were 
decided by the men in charge of the fun and the 
battle was raging at full tilt when the whistle of 
an engine was heard at the bend in the road, and 
soon the second division arrived and began un- 
loading. 

There were twenty-seven cars in all and each 
car was crowded, so Oakdale saw such a multi- 
tude of city children as it never expected to in 
all of its existence. 

The visitors soon heard of Uncle Ben’s wish 
to have them march and sing, and so popular was 
he with all city waifs that they would have 
marched through fire had he so desired of them. 
As it was, this request was going to mean a lot 


THE WINTER OUTING 


85 


of fun, for the brass band would go in front and 
the movie man would take pictures of them as 
they passed by. 

Oakdale people had taken care to have all of 
the walks clean and dry for the march, as it was 
possible that some of the little ones might have 
worn-out shoes or perhaps shoes full of holes. 
And such was the case with many of the poor 
mites! 

If only Arthur Farwell, the man who wrote 
the fine marching song, could have seen the joy 
and gladness with which all of the poor children 
sang his song and marched along the village 
street, he would have thanked the Great Spirit 
for the gift given him to create harmony in the 
hearts of fellow-beings. 

Once arrived at Mossy Glen, the older children 
found ample entertainment in snow-balling or 
sliding on sheets of ice that covered the green 
lawns here and there. But everyone was ex- 
pected to come to the barn and be provided with 
such items of warm clothing as was found neces- 
sary ; thus, the little ones who had on leaky shoes 
were given arctics to wear over their cold feet, 
and shivering thin bodies were soon feeling warm 


86 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


in sweaters and leggings, while almost every 
child had a pair of mittens and a knitted cap 
bestowed upon him. 

“Uncle Ben! Here come the farm-sleds for 
the little ones,” shouted Don, spying the line of 
huge sleighs coming in at the gateway of Mossy 
Glen. 

That brought almost every child within hear- 
ing and in a short time the younger ones were 
laughing and singing as they were driven away 
on a cross-country sleigh-ride. 

The others were soon off with bob-sleds and 
coasters to ride down the hills near Mossy Glen, 
while some of the older boys and girls preferred 
to try the skates. 

So far, the entire plan had succeeded far be- 
yond most sanguine hopes, for it was seldom that 
a great crowd of children of all ages and con- 
ditions and races, should meet and pass a whole 
day without a mishap. But Uncle Ben was de- 
voutly praying that such might be the case. 

The cook from the Starr’s, one from Catlin’s, 
and the cook from Talmage’s arrived at the 
barn at twelve to begin on the stew and prepar- 
ing the bread and butter. The beef and other 



The others were soon off with bob-sleds and coasters to 
ride down the hills near Mossy Glen . — Page 86. 







THE WINTER OUTING 87 

ingredients had been well-cooked all morning 
and now remained to be seasoned and served. 

Uncle Ben was just returning to the barn after 
having watched a snow-fight between some boys, 
when Don rushed madly along the drive towards 
him. 

“Unc’ Ben ! Unc’ Ben ! Come quick ! Some- 
one got hurted awful bad!” Don was so breath- 
less from running that he could say no more, but 
he pointed toward the long road that ran down 
the hill from Catlin’s house. 

Without waiting to hear more, Uncle Ben ran 
off, and Don went to the barn to rest and have 
a cup of cocoa for his troubles. 

It was to be seen that something had happened 
on Catlin’s hill, for a big crowd of children were 
standing about in a circle. Uncle Ben ran across 
lots and soon reached the foot of the hill and 
called to the children : 

“What is it? Who's hurt?” 

Everyone wished to explain how it had hap- 
pened, yet no one was sure how it did happen. 
All they could say was that sleds were flying 
down and children were climbing up, shouting, 
laughing and calling to each other, when sud- 


88 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


denly this little boy rolled over on the snow and 
some sleds went on flying down. Whether he 
was struck by one or not, they could not say. 

Uncle Ben dropped upon his knees and quickly 
ascertained that the heart beat; then he exam- 
ined the fragile little body and found no sign of 
bruise or scratch. From the blueness of the lips 
and the extreme thinness of the face and body, 
he judged that the boy was starved and the un- 
due excitement had merely caused him to faint. 
So he gathered up the light little burden in his 
strong arms and started off for the house with 
him, turning to relieve the fear of the others by 
saying: “He’s all right — only fainted from ex- 
haustion and excitement. The rest of you had 
better take things quieter or another one will 
tumble over as this little fellow has.” 

At the house a hot drink soon revived the boy 
and he confessed to Uncle Ben that he had had 
nothing to eat for two days as he had saved the 
cost of his food to pay another chap to take care 
of his newspaper route for the day. 

Ned had entered the room just in time to over- 
hear the confession and Uncle Ben glanced up 
at him. Uncle and nephew exchanged glances 


THE WINTER OUTING 


89 


that said much for their future partnership in 
working for the welfare of the poor children in 
the city. 

Jakie — that was the boy’s name — was only 
nine years of age, but he had a pitiable story to 
tell. 

“Me father is behind the bars at Sing Sing 
an’ me mother died las’ year. So all me little 
sister Minnie has to take care ov her is mesilf. 
I tries to make a honest livin’ wid me papers and 
doin’ odd jobs, but it hain’t no cinch, let me tell 
yeh ! 

“Minnie kin go to kindergarten school, where 
they gives her a hot dinner at noon, but I has to 
keep goin’ in bisnis er there ain’t nuttin’ to pay 
th’ rent, yeh see!” 

“Do you manage to pay the rent for both of 
you?” asked Ned, astonished. 

“Where do you live?” added Uncle Ben. 

“Well, dis las’ mont’ we has hed to live in Mis’ 
Haggerty’s bunk, ’cause I couldn’t pay fer Tim’s 
corner anny more. I ust to pay Tim fifty cents 
a week for the corner, but I onny pays this Hag- 
gerty woman twenty cents a week for our bunk. 
Sis says she don’t like the Haggerty woman 


9 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

’cuss she’s always drinkin’ and swearin’ so I mus’ 
try to find another bunk!” sighed the boy. 

"What do you mean by a bunk?” asked Ned. 

"Oh, jes’ a box in a corner filled with straw 
and a quilt to cover both of us at night,” replied 
Jake, as if such conditions were everyday affairs. 

Ned was speechless and Uncle Ben continued, 
"Where was the corner with Tim?” 

"Oh, we had a hull corner of an attic room 
wid him ! Sis could play wid a rag doll or keep 
her stuff made at kindergarten in her own corner 
at Tim’s, but we can’t have enny thing at this 
Haggerty’s bunk,” explained Jake. 

As the boy was quite refreshed by the hot drink 
and big bowl of beef stew given him, he ran out 
to get all of the fun he could that day, having 
paid so dearly for it. Uncle Ben sat still with 
bowed head and clasped hands, while Ned stood 
at his side silently thinking. At last Ned placed 
a hand on the older man’s head and both of them 
sighed. 

"My boy, I have one great consolation in all 
of this misery of the world. You and I are do- 
ing our mite to relieve it and so are the others. 
Some day everyone will want to help others. 


THE WINTER OUTING 


9i 


These conditions will be no longer, for we shall 
not have excessively rich folks any more than 
we shall have miserably poor ones. Then shall 
we begin to taste real joy and happiness !” 

“Uncle Ben, it makes me feel sick to think of 
the way we live and spend money, and then hear 
this boy's heart-breaking story. A little will do 
so much for him!" cried Ned. 

“You must not grow morbid over this tale, 
Ned. There are so many thousands right in 
New York as bad and even worse than Jake’s 
case. You could not help everyone even if you 
sacrificed all of your father’s wealth to do so. 
But we are doing the best we can with the goods 
God gave us, and until the whole world awakes 
to find out that the happiness of every individual 
is in the keeping of another’s happiness, we must 
be patient and work. 

“In using your money and means in this mag- 
azine and thus bringing to the attention of others 
the crying need of their fellow-men, you are do- 
ing the best you can. Every individual effort 
helps the whole mass, but it will need the help 
of everyone to lift the world out of the present 
conditions. 


9 2 


THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“So don’t let your gaze lower to the pitiful 
case of this one boy, but keep your eyes on the 
great ultimate to be reached finally by work and 
earnest endeavor. Meantime, the fact that Jake 
told us his story will be the means of sending 
relief to him through our welfare friend whose 
work this is. But, as I said before, our work is 
not with an individual case, but with the entire 
condition which needs to be healed of its grue- 
some symptoms.” 

Ned felt much better after this talk, and uncle 
and nephew went out again to see what more 
could be done to help make the day a perfect one 
for the little city children. 

The very manner in which they all ate their 
beef stew showed that palatable food was a lux- 
ury with these children, and bowls were passed 
back for second helpings the moment Mrs. Tal- 
mage said there was plenty to go round again. 

When the hot lunch was over, some of the 
children ran out again to enjoy the coasting and 
sliding, while some of the quieter ones remained 
in the barn to hear the elders talk and plan. 

As soon as the dishes and pots were carried 


THE WINTER OUTING 


93 

away to the house to be washed, Mr. Fagus came 
in and looked about. 

“I was wondering if these little ones would 
like to hear our Big Chief tell a story? Some- 
thing true and fine!” 

Of course the children shouted that they would 
like it, so the Big Chief had to get up and speak 
whether he felt like it or not. 

“Since Mr. Fagus suggested that I tell an 
Indian story, and you have all accepted his prop- 
osition, I will tell you a short one called “The 
Thunders.” This story comes in a book of 
legends issued by the Smithsonian Institution at 
Washington, and is considered authentic of the 
Tlingit Myths. 

“A high-caste girl who had four brothers went 
out of her lodge one morning and stepped on a 
snail. 

“ ‘Oh, you nasty thing ! There isn't a time 
when I go out but that this snail is around the 
house.' 

“That evening a youth of about her own 
age came to the girl and she went away with 
him. 


94 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“When the people found that she had dis- 
appeared they searched everywhere for her, for 
they did not know what had become of her. Her 
brothers also hunted everywhere, but for a long 
time without result. 

“Some distance behind the village was a high, 
perpendicular cliff without a tree or a bush on 
it, and half way up they at last saw their sister 
with a very large snail coiled about her. They 
ran about underneath and called to her to throw 
herself down, but she could not. She was stuck 
there. 

“After this the four brothers tried some way 
of flying. They tried one kind of wood after 
another and also bone for wings, but in vain, 
for after they had flown a short distance they 
always dropped down again. 

“Finally, they employed yellow cedar and the 
first time they used it they got half way up to 
the place where their sister was, and the second 
time they reached her and dragged her down, 
leaving the snail still there. 

“But the four brothers now left their own vil- 
lage, for they said their sister had disgraced 
them, and they became the Thunders. When 


THE WINTER OUTING 


95 

they move their wings you hear the thunder, and 
when they wink you see the lightning. 

"At the time when these four brothers first 
went away the people at their father's village 
were starving, so they flew out over the ocean, 
caught a whale and brought it to the town that 
it might be found next morning. So the people 
claimed that the Thunders are powerful and can 
get anything. 

"After they had satisfied the famine of their 
people, the four Thunders left the world and 
ascended to the sky where they have lived ever 
since.” 

The Big Chief finished his story just as Uncle 
Ben blew the great horn for all of the children to 
assemble at the barn. The brass band came to 
lead the children back to the railway station and 
soon all were marching out of Mossy Glen 
towards the waiting cars that would soon be 
whirling them back to the city. At the train, 
the Grownups in charge of the multitude thanked 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks for a very happy 
day. 


CHAPTER V 


eittle citizens’ stories 

The last car had passed out of sight around 
the curve when the Blue Birds looked at each 
other and sighed. 

“Well, that’s over!” declared Dot. 

“No, only begun,” replied Mrs. Talmage. 

“What do you mean?” chorused some of the 
little girls. 

“Why, if the story I heard to-day be true, this 
outing is but the beginning of a great work. A 
poor little deformed child told me such a tale as 
would touch a heart of flint. I will tell you about 
it as soon as we reach the house. 

“It seems interesting that you have a story 
to tell, for I, too, have one — Ned and I heard 
one that I thought had no equal,” came from 
Uncle Ben. 

“Really! Why, it seems we all heard one, 
then. For I was made the confidant of a little 

96 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 


97 


girl who told me her life-story and it far sur- 
passed the Pauline of the Welfare Workers. I 
thought I would write it all down for the next 
issue of the magazine,” said Mrs. Starr, wonder- 
ingly. 

Of course everyone looked at everyone else and 
expressed great interest. Then Ned remarked, 
“I guess every one of those Little Citizens here 
to-day could tell a tale that would make luxury- 
loving folks sit up and take notice.” 

The automobiles were waiting to carry the 
children and their parents back to Mossy Glen, 
and soon everyone was sitting about the cozy 
big fire in the wide chimney-piece of the library. 

Aunt Selina had not gone to the station with 
the party, but the moment she heard the voices 
of the children who were returning to the house, 
she hurried downstairs with her face aglow with 
interest. 

“What do you people think? I heard such a 
touching story from a little fellow not more than 
seven years old that I felt I must write it 
down to appear in our next magazine. As it is a 
true story, many people may be roused to help 
along our work.” 


98 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

Again everyone looked at each other and 
Uncle Ben said, “Why, Flutey, we all got a story 
from these children, it appears. Ned and I 
heard one from the little boy who fainted on the 
hillside, and the others heard similar pathetic 
tales from other little ones. I believe it will be 
a splendid idea to print all of them in our mag- 
azine and make it a rule to try and get a few true 
stories every month. It will surely create some 
heart-interest !” 

“Tell us about the little boy who fainted, Uncle 
Ben,” cried Ruth, eagerly. 

So Uncle Ben, assisted by Ned, told the story 
of the little newsboy. Then Aunt Selina was 
called upon to relate her tale. 

“Why, it appears that this little Jim lives in 
one of those awful cellar-holes near the old 
Brooklyn Bridge. He is a bootblack stationed 
near the concourse of the Municipal Buildings. 
But he is not in business for himself — he works 
for a dreadful man who has from fifteen to 
twenty bootblacks assigned him. This man, in 
turn, is hired by a foreigner who hires more 
than a score of such slave-drivers. The Boss, 
as they call him, provides the shoe-boxes, brushes 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 


99 


and blacking, and pays the drivers for looking 
after the boys. Each boy agrees to live in the 
lodging the driver finds and for this the boy pays 
an excessive rental. He has to find his own food, 
however, and very little money is left with which 
to buy victuals after the room-rent is paid to the 
driver. Each boy receives a small pittance for 
his day’s work and the balance of the proceeds 
goes to the driver, who takes his share and turns 
over the remainder to the Boss. 

“Jim told me that ten little bootblacks live in 
this horrible hole of a cellar and the filthy rags 
they sleep upon and the wharf rats that run all 
over the hole make it impossible for them to rest 
after a hard day’s work for the Driver. Con- 
sequently, the weaker ones of the gang generally 
succumb to disease and are carted away by the 
ambulance. 

“I told Jim that such conditions were against 
the law and all he had to do was to report it to 
the authorities or to a policeman. And I wish 
you could have seen that child’s knowing look of 
pity for my ignorance. 

“Why, from what he hinted to me, I should 
judge that the police do know of the Drivers’ 


100 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


methods. Of course one cannot take this for 
granted on the strength of a boy’s story, but he 
did seem so honest and indifferent to anything 
concerning himself that I felt he had experienced 
some very hard knocks. 

“I asked him where his parents were and he 
said he never knew of any. From as early a 
day as he could remember, he was considered 
the property of this particular Driver. 

“Then I asked him if the Driver allowed him 
to come to this party, and the boy laughed mirth- 
lessly. 

“‘Nah! I’ll git the strap fer runnin’ away 
to-day, all right. But I don’t care — I’ve hed the 
time of me life!’ 

“I gave the little fellow a five-dollar bill and 
told him not to go back to the Driver but to use 
the money for a decent place uptown until I could 
communicate with him. In the meantime he is 
to try to find work as an errand boy.” 

As Aunt Selina concluded her story Uncle Ben 
looked at her and said, “Flutey, did you stop to 
think that not even an errand boy can secure 
work without references? Who will give Jim the 
references he needs? And where will he find 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES ioi 

suitable clothes in which to appear properly 
when he applies for work?” 

Aunt Selina gasped. “Oh, Ben, I never 
thought of all those things. Dear me, can’t we 
do something to help him?” 

“Well, you’ve all heard the story about my 
newsboy, now let us hear Mother-Wings’ story 
before we talk things over,” said Uncle Ben. 

“My little girl is hired by a junk man, who 
sends her out to dig in the bags of waste paper 
that are placed on the city walks for the rubbish 
man to collect. She has to pick out all the rags 
and thrust them in the bag that she carries over 
her back, and all other rubbish that can be 
utilized in some way — for instance, she collects 
old rubbers, leather, bits of metal, etc. For this, 
she is given a mattress and so-called food. She 
is not old enough to demand any pay for her 
services and her clothing is picked up out of the 
rubbish she sorts. 

“I was so moved by her story that I took her 
to the house and found a dress and coat, besides 
shoes and a hat of Ruth’s. It was too large for 
her emaciated frame, but I thought it was far 
better than what she had on. 


102 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“The little thing could hardly believe they 
were to be given her and she cried out as she 
hugged them to her as if they were alive. 

“ 'But, oh, Lady, he will take them all away 
from me and sell them to a dealer!’ wailed the 
child. 

“I gasped for a moment, for I couldn’t believe 
it. Then I began to understand how completely 
in the power of these slave-drivers were these 
poor little ones who had no kin or means to help 
them through life. 

“ 'What will you do then, Ally ?’ I asked the 
child. 

“ 'I kin hock ’em and save ’em fer myself ’til 
I kin git away from Jacobs, er I kin hide ’em 
somewhere — I don’ know jus’ where, yit !’ 

“ 'Don’t you think it will be better to wear the 
shoes and coat and let me keep the other things 
for you until you know what to do with them? 
I can take down your address and you can take 
mine, you see, and we can communicate with 
each other about it,’ said I. 

“Then I found that Ally couldn’t read or spell 
or write, and never attended school. I was so 
sure that the city authorities made every child 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 103 


attend school part of the day that I suspected 
Ally of fibbing or of playing truant. But she 
soon undeceived me. I learned that hundreds 
of children who had to slave for others were 
never even heard from as far as the Board of 
Education was concerned. Boys and girls who 
had parents registered by the census takers were 
compelled to go to school, but the slum children, 
who had never known parents or had had them 
taken to prison or the morgue, were seldom in- 
cluded in the census. I suppose they are classed 
with the dogs!” said Mrs. Talmage, bitterly. 

“Well, thank goodness, my story is not as 
harrowing as the others we have heard, but it is 
just as pitiful. The little girl, Mary Cofey, is 
almost twelve and is the sole support of a large 
family. They live in a tiny hovel of two rooms 
built right under one of the great city gas-tanks. 
The father is half silly since he received a blow 
on the head some years ago while working on a 
loft building. He was a good mason and made 
sufficient wages to support his family comfort- 
ably. 

“Mrs. Cofey takes in washing to eke out the 
girl’s wages of $3 per week. In the bakery where 


io 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


she is employed, she washes the bake-tins in the 
cellar, cleans the floors twice a day, and helps 
generally at other times. She works from six in 
the morning until nine at night. There is no 
eight hour law for our children, I find. Nor is 
there any law to control their pay. Yet these 
little ones are more conscientious and willing in 
their work than the Grownups. 

“Last summer, during the scourge of infantile 
paralysis, two of the nine Cofey children were 
smitten. They survived death but are helplessly 
crippled. They should be taken care of, but no 
one can trust the father to do anything depend- 
able, and the worn-out mother must look after 
the rest of the family as well as care for the little 
sufferers. Mary managed to beg off this day 
from her work at the bakery, but she will have 
to be 'docked’ she told me. I gave her some 
money for her mother and promised to send them 
a trunk filled with things from the children at 
home which will be just right for the different 
sizes of the Cofey children. 

“I have been thinking how feasible a plan it 
would be to move the Cofey family out to Oak- 
dale and let Mary work in our nice clean bakery 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 105 

here, while Mrs. Cofey could find plenty of 
charing to do for families about the town. In 
such a quiet village the father could care for the 
children, and the air will help the little ones so 
much.” 

When Mrs. Starr finished her story, everyone 
sat with serious faces, thinking of all they had 
heard during the last half hour. 

Finally Mrs. Talmage cried, “Well, what can 
we do?” 

“It comes right back to my first idea and as 
I told Ned this afternoon. We have only heard 
the stories of the few children we happened to 
come in personal contact with to-day. If every 
one of these children who attended this winter 
party could tell you their story you would find 
some even more harrowing than the ones we 
have told just now, and some who are so brave 
in their experiences that a strong man would 
tremble at the idea of enduring what many of 
these children do. 

“And don’t forget this: The number of poor 
children we gathered about us in the Garden 
was very small in comparison to the number of 
children in New York who had not heard of the 


10 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Tree of Light, or who could not steal away to 
attend it. Now, multiply the number who must 
be in New York, by every large city in the land 
and you can never count the grand total. 

“Why, children, in our benevolent institutions 
alone, not including these waifs who elude the 
homes and asylums, there are one million one 
hundred and twenty thousand inmates under 
fifteen years of age. These are cared for by 
organized charity and do not come directly under 
the class we have had with us to-day. 

“If we should attempt to count up the masses 
of children left destitute and hopeless by this 
war in Europe, we would be staggered at the 
awful picture placed before our imagination. So 
I believe more than ever that salvation to a cer- 
tain degree is to be found by working for the 
masses and not for the individuals. 

“By doing your level best in the little mag- 
azine and publishing each month a department 
for Welfare which will arouse the heart-interest 
of your benevolent readers, you will accomplish 
more than giving all of your time and attention 
to helping a few cases that come directly under 
your notice. Stick to the idea that is bound to 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 107 


reach thousands. Make this magazine most 
readable for others, with good pictures and good 
reading matter, and keep your welfare work 
within the bounds devoted to it, so that your 
readers will not feel that you are selling them 
charity or always begging for their help. Let 
each come and lend help of his own free will. 
We know that our sole purpose in publishing the 
magazine is to help lift the miseries of poor 
children, and to interest everyone we can reach 
in helping on with the work.” 

As Uncle Ben concluded his plan, his hearers 
could not but feel that he was right. 

“Well, after this day’s experience I shall do 
my very best to reach folks through the maga- 
zine,” declared Ned. 

“So’ll we all!” cried the others, while Uncle 
Ben nodded his head approvingly. 

“Had we not better get started on a good 
February issue?” asked Mrs. Talmage. 

“I was going to suggest that. The January 
number is taken care of, but we must stir up the 
dozing public in February, for folks seem to 
grow lazy in their benevolent work just as soon 


io8 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


as the spirit of Christmas fades away,” replied 
Uncle Ben. 

“We ought to work ahead, too, to catch up on 
our time, so we can mail our magazines before 
the first of every month like the real big pub- 
lishers do !” declared Jinks. 

“Yes, we ought to be prompt with our little 
paper as others are wiflt ^eirs. It is good busi- 
ness, too,” added Ned. f 

“Have you made any plans for February?” 
asked Uncle Ben. 

The children shook their Heads. 

“You see, Uncle Ben, we were so full of this 
outing that we gave no thought to anything else. 
We knew we would have plenty of time to work 
once this was out of the way,” said Ruth. 

“Well, I think I can suggest a novel plan, 
then,” ventured Uncle Ben. 

Then he proceeded to outline a plan for the 
next issue of the magazine. 

“You can make it a 'Valentine Number’ and 
offer to send a valentine to any child who wants 
one. You can do it in this way: Let a sender 
place a valentine in a sealed envelope which has 
a two-cent stamp pasted in the right hand cor- 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 109 

ner. No address is to appear on the envelope, 
but the sender may send a little note or an ad- 
dress of his own inside the envelope with the 
valentine so the receiver will know who it is from 
and can write and thank the sender. In this way 
many hundreds of children will get in touch with 
each other and great good may result from direct 
communication of a wealthy child with a poor 
one. Why, if every well-to-do child in this coun- 
try were to look after and help one poor child, 
we would have more than enough help to com- 
pletely do away with poverty and suffering. 

“In this valentine scheme we will take the 
valentines which are sealed in blank envelopes 
and address an envelope to every child we know 
of who will be happy to get one. We can mail 
bundles of them to matrons of homes and hos- 
pitals and ask them to write a name on each 
envelope before distributing them, so the re- 
ceiver will feel that it was meant for his own 
individual self. We can count up the number 
of children in the benevolent homes by referring 
to our book that came from Washington.” 

“Oh, I think Uncle Ben’s idea is great !” cried 
Ruth, clapping her hands. 


no THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Yes, indeed, and maybe lots of poor children 
will get acquainted with children who will help 
them,” added Dot. 

As everyone agreed that Uncle Ben’s plan was 
a good one and perfectly simple to handle, they 
completed arrangements for valentines to be re- 
ceived and sent out again. Then Aunt Selina 
made a motion. 

“I have been thinking of this February issue, 
and the other day the idea came to me to have 
some good George Washington and Abraham 
Lincoln stories in it, as both these birthdays 
come in February, you know.” 

“Flutey has a good idea ! I quite forgot those 
two important holidays in my plan for St. Valen- 
tine Day !” exclaimed Uncle Ben. 

“What more would Flutey suggest?” asked 
Mrs. Starr. 

“Why, I hadn’t thought of the valentines, you 
see, but I did think it would be nice if we could 
manage in some way to distribute little cards in 
the hospitals and orphanages, each card bearing 
a verse about Lincoln and Washington, and 
having a little American flag pinned in one 


corner. 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 


hi 


"Oh, Flutey’s idea is very good ! Can’t we do 
it?” cried Dot. 

"Goodness me! If we have to address thou- 
sands of valentines before February fourteenth, 
how are we ever going to see about these cards. 
The suggestion is so dear that I hate to pass it 
by, but do let Uncle Ben give us advice about 
time,” laughed Mrs. Catlin, anxiously. 

"Hum! Let me see!” murmured Uncle Ben, 
puckering his forehead in deep thought. 

After a few moments, he smiled. 

"Why would it be necessary to make up cards 
to give to each child in these institutions ? Why 
not have a patriotic cover design on our magazine 
of the American flag draped over two oval pic- 
tures — one of Lincoln and one of Washington? 
Then we could have appropriate stories and ar- 
ticles fitted to the birthdays of these two great 
men, and send out copies of the magazines to the 
sick children instead of little cards. They will 
surely have more delight in receiving a magazine 
of their own than in having a little card.” 

The suggestion was received with great satis- 
faction, and Aunt Selina said, "I knew Ben could 
help us out in some way !” 


1 12 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Say, Uncle Ben, that valentine scheme ought 
to be mentioned in this January number. It will 
be too late to do anything with it if we do not 
mention it before the February magazines go 
out!” reminded Ned. 

“Yes, that’s true. I will telephone in a no- 
tice at once, for the printers may be working on 
night shifts now,” replied Uncle Ben, going out 
of the room to telephone. 

During his absence Mrs. Catlin mentioned an 
idea she had had before the Christmas Treat in 
the Garden. 

“After our theatre party in New York, I did 
a lot of thinking about ways and means we might 
use to interest the thoughtless public in the wel- 
fare work for children. Then one morning, I 
had to go up in the attic of my house to find some 
papers that were in an old desk of father’s, and 
I came across a trunk full of old-fashioned silk 
dresses and other things worn way back in the 
days of the Civil War. Suddenly, it flashed 
through my mind that these well-preserved old 
costumes were worth a great deal to some col- 
lector, and the proceeds could be given to help 
our work along. 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 1 13 

“From this thought, I drifted to the idea of 
having some motion picture company use them 
in Aunt Selina’s Civil War story. They could pay 
us royalties for the story and for the use of the 
costumes. 

“Then my thoughts jumped to the plan 
I have been thinking over. I thought how 
fine it would be if we could write a story with 
enough interest to make some motion picture 
company produce it for us and show it on the 
screens all over the country. The Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks could represent the poor little waifs 
of the city streets, and show how they live and 
are badgered about. If this play could be shown 
with the explanation that it was done to arouse 
the public to systematic help and cooperation 
with welfare workers to relieve the conditions of 
the little ones, it might do a world of good.” 

“Why, Mrs. Catlin! Why haven’t you spoken 
of this before? It is great!” cried Uncle Ben, 
who had entered the door in time to hear the plan 
mentioned. 

“We have had so much of everything crowded 
upon us these past two weeks that my idea took 
second place, I suppose,” smiled Mrs. Catlin. 


1 1 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“Now, see here, children ! The printer in New 
York will take care of inserting the notice for the 
valentines so that is off our minds for the 
time. Here’s a fine idea. We will start a serial 
story for motion pictures in our February num- 
ber. We will concoct a plot and write a scenario 
of a good play and I will offer it to some editors 
I know well, who are now associated with big 
picture companies. 

“I know they will be glad to produce it if the 
story has an interesting plot and purpose. We 
already have the purpose and now we must find 
a plot. Bring in all of the things we heard the 
children tell us to-day — and more too, in a heart- 
thrilling story. Now, we’ve struck the right key- 
note.” 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were so en- 
thused over the latest plan to help the children, 
that everything else was forgotten for the time 
being. 

“I see I shall have to continue to commute 
longer than I had intended, for this play must be 
done well and without loss of time. A big pro- 
ducing company at Fort Lee will do it for us be- 
fore they begin their spring and summer out- 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ STORIES 115 

doors work: — Then, every company is rushed 
with pictures and will not give us the considera- 
tion we can demand at the present season.” 

“Do you really mean that we will all be in 
movies?” cried Don Starr, sceptically. 

“Of course!” retorted Ned. 

“Oh !” gasped Don, who had had a secret am- 
bition to be a second Charley Chaplin, but felt 
he must await the proper time before leaving 
home to offer his talents to some eager manager. 

“Maybe Don had better not take part — he is 
sure to ruin reels and reels of film!” teased Mete. 

“I just guess not! If you are to act in a pic- 
ture, when everyone knows what an old slowpoke 
you are, I just bet I can act, too!” snapped Don, 
emphatically. 

So the Blue Birds and Bobolinks parted with 
the advice from Uncle Ben to think out a good 
movie story. 


CHAPTER VI 


THE MOTION PICTURE PEAY 

Eor several days after the plan was made to 
write a motion picture play, the Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks could be seen posing in all kinds of 
queer places and positions. 

Every day a new scene was suggested to the 
ladies who had offered to write the play for the 
children, until there was enough material on 
hand to make a serial, five reels a week, for the 
space of a year’s time. 

But out of all the thrilling episodes suggested, 
and the heart-throb ideas described by the chil- 
dren, enough of really good stuff was selected to 
make a dramatic story. 

Then, when it was all written in synopsis form, 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were invited with 
Uncle Ben to hear Mrs. Talmage read it, before 
permitting Uncle Ben to take it to the editor he 
knew in New York. 

116 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 117 

Early in the evening, directly after dinner, 
everyone assembled in the Winter Nest to hear 
the play. 

“First scene : Mother and two children — a boy 
of four and a little girl of three — in a lovely room 
where it is seen at a glance that money is not 
lacking to make everything comfortable and lux- 
urious for the occupants. 

“Mother is in house-gown reading magazine, 
children are building a tower of blocks on the rug 
at their mother’s feet. Knock comes at door. 
Mother bids maid enter. Messenger boy follows 
and hands mother a telegram. Children look up 
at boy in curiosity. Mother tears open the enve- 
lope with apprehension on her face. Hurriedly 
reads the message. 

“When the realization of the news comes over 
the mother she cries out and flings her arms up. 
Faints away. Maid runs over to help her while 
children creep near their mother. Messenger 
boy picks telegram up from floor and reads the 
news that startled the lady. 

“ ‘James Montrose, killed in explosion of mine. 
Many others with him. No identification pos- 
sible — everything in ashes.’ 


1 18 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


"The messenger gasps. Maid orders him to run 
down street for doctor. Boy rushes out — finds 
telegram in his hand. Sees doctor’s sign on 
corner across street. Attempts to run across — 
struck by automobile — thrown violently down — 
telegram falls in mud unseen and is soon tram- 
pled. Crowd gathers and boy is carried away in 
ambulance. 

"Maid waits for doctor but no one comes. 
Rests fainting woman’s head on little boy’s shoul- 
der and goes to telephone. A doctor finally calls 
but shakes head after taking pulse and listening 
to heart. Declares it heart failure from shock. 
Doctor is stranger and does not question maid or 
cause of shock. Maid looks for telegram but 
cannot find it. Doctor accepts her statement and 
enters it in certificate. 

"Maid is left alone with children, and not know- 
ing who lawyer or friends are, does not know 
enough to notify papers or anyone else of the in- 
cident. But her sweetheart, who is ex-convict, 
advises her. He sends an unscrupulous lawyer 
to act in the case, and this man goes through 
papers left by man and his wife and agrees with 
crook and the girl to share all he can steal out of 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 119 


the estate. But he sternly orders the maid and 
her beau to keep silence about the entire affair. 

“The villain moves into the house and takes up 
residence there to find out all he can regarding 
the facts of the Montrose family. Then, one 
day, the children disappear from the house. The 
maid asks questions about them and is told that 
they have been sent to school to be educated and 
brought up. She doubts it but is threatened with 
arrest if she hints a word of the matter to any- 
one. Her sweetheart, who is employed by the 
rascally lawyer, also threatens to leave her if she 
doesn’t keep a close mouth. 

“The children, dressed in common old clothes, 
have been taken several blocks away from their 
home and lifted into a cab. The villain drives 
them quickly downtown where an accomplice is 
waiting and they are turned over to this evil look- 
ing man. The villain gives him minute instruc- 
tions and goes back uptown. The accomplice 
jumps in another taxi-cab with children and 
reaches the Hudson Terminal. Here he takes 
children to the train and they are soon in Jersey 
City. 


120 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Then begins their education in crime and pov- 
erty. 

“They are lodged with a dozen or more other 
youngsters of about their own age, some appear- 
ing stupid with weariness and lack of food or 
sleep, others experienced in the life and alert 
to take advantage of the innocent arrivals. 

“Before the little boy and girl can comprehend 
what is happening, they are beaten and robbed of 
any decent clothing they had worn, the other 
hardened boys and girls taking whatever they 
could wear or sell. Filthy rags were thrown at 
the little ones in exchange for their comparatively 
decent clothes. Both children are exhausted 
with weeping and fear, but keep up their whim- 
pered longings for their comfortable home and 
their dear parents. Finally a brute strides in 
and demands to know who is crying and disturb- 
ing his rest. The other children cower and point 
at the newcomers. The drunken man shakes 
them and throws them upon a heap of trash, or- 
dering them to keep still and sleep ! 

“In the morning their training begins. With 
half a dozen other little children ranging from 
four to eight years of age, they are taught how 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 


I 2 I 


to whine and beg on the streets, how to pick pock- 
ets, how to sneak away from suspicious detec- 
tives, how to do the hundred and one tricky 
things that go to make a thoroughly bad criminal 
in later years. 

“With all this teaching they are cuffed and 
starved and given no decent bedding or shelter, 
so that it becomes necessary to do as they are 
ordered that food and rest may be earned. Too 
young to know the evil and too tired and heart- 
broken to care what becomes of them, these little 
waifs do as they are told, just as a mechanical 
toy runs about when wound up by a strong hand. 

“After a time, the little boy is removed from 
his sister and taken to another city where he is 
eased out to a man who keeps boot-blacks. (Now 
appears the experience of little Jim, the boot- 
black, showing the scenes he pictured to the Blue 
Birds.) 

“The little sister, almost too young to be of any 
use whatever, is found to fit in a place with a 
dreadful organ-grinder. Her fair skin is stained 
with walnut juice and her hair dyed black. She 
must trudge about with the man and hold out the 


i22 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


tin cup for pennies. Her tiny form and wistful 
face is used to draw attention to her cup. 

“For this she is given a bed with the monkey, 
and shares the little beast’s fodder. The monkey 
proves better company than the owner of both of 
them. 

“After several weeks of hardships and longing 
for his little sister, the boot-black runs away and 
wanders across the Meadows in order to reach 
the city where he thinks he shall find his sister. 

“He appeals to the police but is taken to the 
Juvenile Court. He tells his story but no one 
believes him, for he cannot remember where he 
lived or what his father’s name was. All he can 
tell is that his little sister Anne and he lived with 
his mother and father in a big house near the 
park. 

“The judge turns to remark that every child 
should be taught his name and address as well as 
his father and mother’s names, as soon as they 
can lisp. Then the boy is turned over to the 
Gerry Society for a time. 

“But little James will not remain in a home 
while he believes his sister is with such dreadful 
companions, so he runs away again, and keeps 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 123 

well hidden this time for fear he will be taken 
back to the Society and thus kept from finding 
his sister. 

“In the meantime, he makes friends with a 
newsboy and these two decide to run away from 
the padrone who works them, and start in busi- 
ness for themselves. The newsboy is nine years 
old and seems quite grown up to James. 

“It is Christmas Eve and the newsboy tells 
his little friend all about the Tree of Light and 
the party to be given free in New York City. 

“The two boys have just enough change to pay 
for ferry tickets across the river. The wise lit- 
tle newsboy plans to ride uptown to Twenty- 
third street and then have only the crosstown 
blocks to walk to the Garden. As both boys can 
cross the ferry on half-tickets, they still have a 
few pennies left. 

“That night the boys meet a kind lady who 
gives them each a ticket to go to the country 
party at Oakdale. She also gives them each a 
quarter of a dollar — to them untold riches. 

“They hug their wealth closely and sleep in a 
big packing case that night. A kindly policeman 


124 the BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


fails to notice them as they crawl out in the cold 
dawn and run away from him. 

“James tells his friend about his sister, and the 
newsboy ponders the story he has heard. He 
decides to help James find his home and family 
again. But it must be done in a way so that 
the Court and Gerry Society won’t get hold of 
them again. 

“During the next few days these two boys see 
so much of the under world that James is cowed 
in spirits and heart, but his friend has become 
immune to the evils and pays no attention to 
the sights. 

“Then comes the great event when the two boys 
sneak away to the Railroad Terminal where they 
are told they could get a free ride to the country 
for the day’s outing. 

“Neither of the boys has sufficient clothing to 
keep warm, but they have heard that some mit- 
tens and sweaters would be given those who 
need them most, so they live in hopes. 

“Several boys and girls in the party were rec- 
ognised by the newsboy as his associates down- 
town. James sought everywhere for his little 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 125 

sister, but could not find her among the hundreds 
of poor children on the train. 

“A kind lady went through the train stopping 
now and then to speak to a child, and the news- 
boy decided to interest her in James’ story. 

“She listened intently and gasped at the daring 
crime, then tells the boys she will report it as 
once. She brings Uncle Ben to the children and 
he hears the story, too. The young newspaper 
man, Mr. Richards, makes notes of the facts, and 
promises to follow up the story at once. But 
they all try to make James remember his last 
name or his father’s name. 

“At Oakdale, the children are having a fine 
time when a little boy faints on the hill-side. He 
is carried to the house and Uncle Ben hears that 
he was but recently discharged from the hospital 
where he had been laid up by an accident from 
an auto truck. 

“Uncle Ben talks with him while he is sipping 
some broth and hears how he was running for 
a doctor when he was struck. Finally, the story 
of the telegram comes out and Uncle Ben gasps 
when he realizes that the children in the mes- 
senger boy’s story might possibly be the two who 


126 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


were kidnapped and sold to villains. He says 
nothing to the boy, however, but sends out to 
have James brought to the house. 

“The little fellow is brought and after a time 
the messenger boy recognises the resemblance be- 
tween this boy and the boy he saw at that home. 
He is told the story of the kidnapping and how 
James could not remember his last name. The 
messenger instantly supplies the information and 
Uncle Ben looks up the name in the directory and 
finds the house address. 

“Mr. Richards and he immediately take a train 
to New York advising the messenger and the two 
little boys to remain at Oakdale until they re- 
turn. 

“The police are notified and detective sent out 
to find the little girl, while a number of officers 
accompany Uncle Ben and Mr. Richards uptown 
in a taxicab. 

“The house is soon found but everything has 
been sold and removed from the premises. A 
street cleaner tells them that it was closed weeks 
ago, when the folks that lived there had died. 

“No information could be had from the cleaner, 
but one of the detectives asked a postman about 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 127 

the people who took possession when the owners 
disappeared. The maid and the man who acted 
as guardian of the children were described. It 
was found that he answered the description of 
one of the city’s dangerous criminals. 

“As nothing could be learned by waiting about 
the empty house, the searchers went back to po- 
lice-headquarters to report. As they were enter- 
ing the corridor a great scuffle was taking place, 
and a powerful foreigner tried to escape after 
felling several of his captors. But he was soon 
in irons and his little victim, who was the cause 
of his arrest, was carried to a room, where a ma- 
tron applied warm water to wash away the clot- 
ted blood formed by the blow the organ-grinder 
had given her. 

“To the matron’s surprise, the walnut stain 
soon came off with the warm water, and it was 
found that the little girl was fair instead of dark- 
skinned. 

“As she regained consciousness, the little girl 
cried for her brother James, and Uncle Ben heard 
her wail. He clutched Mr. Richard’s arm and 
said, 'Suppose it should be our little girl?’ 

“The child was placed in good hands to be 


128 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


cared for, and when her hair and skin were 
thoroughly washed it was found that she was a 
pretty little thing with golden hair and a lovely 
fair complexion. 

“The following day, the three boys were 
brought to the city and the little girl was 
brought into the room where they sat wondering 
what would happen next. The moment James 
saw his little sister he cried out and she ran to 
him. 

“Then, the messenger recognised Mary too, 
and the reunion was complete. It still remained 
for the villains to be found and punished and we 
were told that they were soon discovered through 
the brilliant young newspaper man, and the 
whole story was told in detail in the papers.” 

When Mrs. Talmage had finished reading the 
story, the audience sighed and clapped their 
hands softly to show how much they liked the 
play. 

“Plenty of action and quite a melodrama!” 
laughed Uncle Ben. 

“Do you think it sounds impossible?” asked 
Aunt Selina. 

“Even if it sounds far-fetched it really is true 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 129 

to life as we have heard from these children. We 
have tried to show in a connected picture play the 
episodes of each child's individual experience," 
declared Mr. Talmage. 

“Well, I will take it in to-morrow and if the 
director thinks it needs modifying he can do it 
himself. We can O. K. the play before he turns 
it over to the camera man," said Uncle Ben. 

“When will he want us to do the acting?" 
asked Dot, eagerly. 

“Perhaps on Saturday a week — or the follow- 
ing Saturday," replied Uncle Ben. 

“Oh, only one day !" complained Don, who had 
had visions of being able to be absent from 
school for several weeks. 

“One day will take the interior pictures, and 
perhaps they will all come out to Oakdale when 
the snow is on the ground to take the country 
scenes. The city scenes can be staged in the 
studio," explained Uncle Ben. 

“The children will find that acting and staging 
scenes for the movies is a different thing from 
sitting in a seat and watching the screen-pictures 
flashed on," laughed Mrs. Catlin. 

“It will prove a novel and very interesting ex- 


130 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


perience for them,” added Mrs. Starr, smiling at 
Don. He saw her look and wondered if she had 
an inkling of his secret ambition. 

During the time the photo play was being con- 
sidered by the company Uncle Ben went to see, 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks worked hard 
at the valentine idea for the children, as well as 
in writing stories and articles for a grand Feb- 
ruary issue of the magazine. 

The design had been done in colors by Mrs. 
Catlin who was a very good artist, but the medal- 
lion pictures of the two American heroes were 
cut out of a sepia photograph book and pasted 
so that they seemed to have the flag draped about 
them. 

The frontispiece of this issue was to be a re- 
production of the photograph taken as the Lit- 
tle Citizens marched up Main Street through the 
village. 

Some of the interested people of New York 
sent in short articles and the Welfare Worker 
submitted another child’s story, so that the pub- 
lishers felt they would have plenty of good ma- 
terial to make a fine February number. 

Then came the momentous answer to their 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 131 

photo play. The editor said he would accept it 
after making some necessary corrections for the 
director to use. He appointed the following 
Saturday as the day to take the snow scenes — 
that is if the snow lasted until then. He said 
they would all be at Oakdale at nine o’clock to be- 
gin operations. 

“Nine o’clock! Goodness, what time do they 
get up?” cried Don. 

“Oh, the movie actors have to keep an appoint- 
ment sometimes as early as seven o’clock in the 
morning. If they have an extra hard day’s work 
they keep on acting until eight and nine at night !” 
explained Uncle Ben. 

“What ! Why, I heard they only played a few 
hours a day and got heaps of money for it !” cried 
amazed Don. 

“Don’t you believe it, boy ! I know something 
of the work they do through my editorial connec- 
tion, and I tell you that only the very few ever 
reach the top rung of the ladder where Chaplin 
or Mary Pickford are. And they had to work 
hard and wait years for this opportunity, you 
know. Why, there are days when movie actors 
are ready to drop where they stand, and yet they 


i 3 2 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


have to smile and keep on acting until the camera 
man calls “quit.” When they take a film in the 
country, as they will out here in Oakdale, every- 
one who is ordered to go with the company has 
to be on hand for the call at seven. That means 
they have to get up and dress by five o’clock if 
they live any distance from the studio.” 

Don’s eyes widened as he listened and he was 
fast losing his desire to become a second Charley 
Chaplin for he dearly loved to cuddle down in his 
warm bed on a frosty morning. 

Sure enough, on the nine o’clock train to ar- 
rive at Oakdale, came the moving picture people 
with all of their paraphernalia to take pictures. 
It caused great excitement in the little village, 
for such an event as having their most prominent 
families act in the movies, had never been heard 
of! 

It was not long before the director and his men 
were walking back and forth at the hill where 
the children were expected to coast, and one lit- 
tle fellow to faint. It was not necessary to ask 
for supers, as every child in Oakdale hovered 
about the scene hoping to be included in the pic- 
tures. When it was suggested that they all get 



Then came the scene of carrying the fainting boy to Mossy 

Glen . — Page 133. 








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THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 133 

sleds and coast down hill, they were only too de- 
lighted to comply. 

The outdoor scene was soon finished and then 
came the scene of carrying the fainting boy to 
Mossy Glen. As Tuck was the smallest boy he 
was selected for “James,” but he was a poor actor, 
while Don could act well. So, Tuck’s face was 
turned away from the camera while he was being 
carried to the house and immediately Don ar- 
ranged himself on the couch in the library to 
pretend he was the lad they had just carried in. 

No hitch occurred in the acting that day, and 
the director said he was sure the film would turn 
out to be a fine one. If it did not, they would all 
have to do the same thing over again. 

The children were so excited over the whole 
affair that they felt as if everyone must recognise 
in them the famous screen artists. In fact, so 
egotistical were they that they sneered at the bill- 
board advertising the famous Geraldine Farrar 
in the role of Carmen. 

“Pooh, she can’t act a little bit !” scofifed Don. 

“I should say not ! Why, we can show all of 
them a few pointers!” bragged Tuck, as the two 


134 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


boys stood watching the towns-people crowd into 
the theatre on Main Street. 

As so much work had to be attended to to make 
the forthcoming number of the magazine a suc- 
cessful one, the actors had little time to compare 
the worth of other actresses or actors to them- 
selves. This, with their school lessons, crowded 
their time so that Saturday soon came around 
again when Uncle Ben led them all to the ferry 
that went to Fort Lee. 

Uncle Ben had arranged with the director for 
the following Saturday to bring his party of Blue 
Birds and Bobolinks to the studio for the interiors 
and street scenes of New York. 

The children were duly excited to think that 
they were about to see a real live picture place. 
As they had no conception of the manner in 
which pictures were made, they were not a little 
disappointed and surprised to find their air- 
castles fall. 

In the first place, the building was not as im- 
posing as the Capitol at Washington, and they 
all thought it would be, for had not each one of 
them seen the grand houses and furnishings in 
pictures produced by this company? 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 135 

The studio was' a rough concrete affair with 
many windows and sky-lights. The dressing 
rooms were small bare cells where actresses and 
actors lounged about waiting for a call. The of- 
fices were in a low row of buildings without at- 
tempt at decoration or effect. Just business, 
business, business, suggested itself everywhere, 
and the idea that all of this work was done to 
make money took the polish from the movies at 
once. 

As Don observed the intricate devices of the 
motion picture industry, he silently decided to sac- 
rifice his genius and live at home. When he saw 
the director of a certain picture order the actors 
about and heard him scold because one of the 
girls had made an awkward mistake, he was sure 
that this company was a poor example of the art. 
The others he read about would be much better, 
he thought. 

The children were intensely interested to find 
three plays being filmed at the same time. In 
one corner of the great studio a Mexican scene 
was being done — the artificial cactus and sand 
drifts arranged to seem real in the picture. The 
old mission house only showed a corner of its 


1 36 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


plaster, for that would be all that would show in 
the picture. 

In another corner of the studio a play staged 
at the western mines, was being acted. Here, 
the director had to scold the heroine over and 
over again to make her run into the room prop- 
erly, and call for help the moment she saw the 
miner trying to steal her little hoard of savings. 
This amused the children a great deal and they 
watched the actress run in the same door and 
give the same cry again and again until she did 
it exactly right. 

During the time the children were watching 
this act the third play was finished and the di- 
rector welcomed Uncle Ben. The scenery was 
changed to fit a scene of the Little Citizens’ 
photo play, and then the children were called to 
come and take part. 

They were shown dressing rooms and given 
dirty old clothes to wear in the pictures, and after 
many attempts to pose them and teach them how 
to look and how to act before the camera, the 
weary director finally called, “still !” 

Every child turned his or her head to see what 
he meant, and the poor man groaned aloud. He 


THE MOTION PICTURE PLAY 137 


had forgotten to tell them a “still” meant that 
not one eyelash must move while a picture of a 
still group was being taken for illustration pur- 
poses. 

So, he tried it again. This time it was suc- 
cessful. 

Then he began on the film and at the end of a 
hard tiresome day the Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
shook hands with the director and followed Uncle 
Ben to the trolley cars. 

“Well, Fd never want to be a movie actor!” 
declared Ned. 

“I should say not ! One day’s enough for me !” 
added Don, as if he had never had visions of a 
million a year salary in the movies. 

“Our director was the nicest of them all — did 
you hear that other one shout at the Mexican who 
tripped over the cactus and smashed it flat!” 
laughed Jinks. 

“Um! And that stupid actress that just 
couldn’t rush in and shoot the thief! I guess I 
could have done it right the first time !” bragged 
Dot. 

“Then I don’t see why you couldn’t have done 
that easy part of the little sister crying on the 


i 3 8 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

floor when her mother fainted?” wondered Uncle 
Ben, which criticism effectually silenced Dot. 

On arriving at Oakdale, however, the amateur 
actors and actresses had so much to tell their 
school-friends that Uncle Ben said he was going 
home. So he arrived at Mossy Glen an hour be- 
fore the star performers put in their appearance. 

When they did arrive, however, they heard the 
glad news that some unknown benefactor had 
sent them a thousand two-cent stamps to use on 
the valentines that would be forwarded and 
which might come in without any postage on the 
envelopes. 

“Gracious! That reminds me that we must 
get to work on that February number now and 
see that it is completed.” 


CHAPTER VII 


the February number 

The original idea of sending valentines to the 
poor children and distributing enough to every 
hospital and home where little ones would delight 
over a pretty card sent by some unknown giver, 
was successful. The men and women who had 
met the Blue Birds and Bobolinks in New York 
cooperated eagerly with every plan to help the 
poor, and consequently there were plenty of val- 
entines and enough postage to supply everyone 
on the list the children had compiled. 

Then, too, the few advance copies of the Feb- 
ruary magazine were so splendid that the pub- 
lishers took great pride in showing it to teachers 
and friends. 

As stated before, the cover design was made 
of two fine medallion pictures of Washington and 
Lincoln, with the American flag in colors draped 
over and at each side of the portraits. An 


139 


i 4 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

American Eagle, with wide-spread wings, hov- 
ered over the top of the photographs and held the 
edge of the flag in its beak. 

On the first page of the magazine, opposite the 
frontispiece of the Little Citizens marching up 
Main Street on the day of their winter outing, 
was the following poem written by the Welfare 
woman in New York. 


ST. VALENTINE 

Do any know his loving story, children dear? 

If not, I’ll tell it you, if only you will hear. 

Yes, just a dear, old man, with soft and wavy hair; 
With kindly, loving nature, ever free from care. 

He always spoke with cheering voice — if some were sad 
He always dropped the comfort word — to make them 
glad. 

If some were sick, in need, he heard their weary call; 
He brought them food and raiment — love for one and all. 
Old Time made hoary then his head, with many a year ; 
But love had made these be his aides — the children dear ! 
They carried forth his words of cheer — the little doves : 
They left sweet joy at every door — his words of love — 
A tiny seed, “From God’s dear love no child can fall.” 
No wonder then the dear old Saint was loved by all. 
Oh, don’t you see what Truth and Love do, children 
dear? 

They say, “Let us be your good Valentine this year!” 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


141 

Following this verse came the story written by 
Mrs. Catlin for Valentine’s Day. It was called 
“Philip’s Love Story.” 

“Philip and Florrie had been good friends and 
playmates for all the time they had lived next 
door to each other — which was more than three 
years. 

“Every February Philip sent Florrie a pretty 
lace-edged valentine with dainty pictures and 
sweet verses on it. Then, just before the first 
week of February of this year, a new family 
moved into the vacant house which stood on the 
other side of Philip’s house. The new family 
had one child, a little girl of Florrie’s own age. 
But this little girl, Amy, had so many fine clothes 
and seemed to have everything a child’s heart 
could wish for, that Florrie thought Amy must be 
the happiest little girl in the whole world. 

“But she was not. To tell the truth, Amy was 
a very discontented and fretful child. She had 
always lived in a large city and had many com- 
panions of her own age, and these she ordered 
about and ruled as if she were a little queen. 
Some of the girls would grow angry at her im- 


142 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

perious manner, but the little boys generally did 
exactly as Amy ordered them. 

“Her mother was sick and the doctors sent the 
family to live in the country, so Amy had to 
leave her subjects behind — much to the delight 
of the girls and to the regret of the boys. 

“When Amy found only two children of her 
age in the neighborhood, she thought she would 
be very lonesome, but she soon found that Philip 
was very nice and Florrie so much pleasanter 
than the city girls, that she forgot her regret for 
her city playmates. 

“But soon Amy began to rule in much the same 
way as she had done in the city. She ordered 
Philip to do things for her, and to assume all re- 
sponsibilities in any plan she thought of. She 
expected Florrie to fetch and carry just as if she, 
Amy, were a royal princess. And this Florrie 
refused to do. Hence the trouble. 

“Before a week had passed, Philip was com- 
pletely under Amy’s thumb and Florrie felt 
ashamed to see him so blind to the old friend- 
ship, for he seemed to forget that little Florrie 
had ever lived or played with him. 

“Then came the Fourteenth of February. 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


i43 


“Florrie wondered if she would get a valen- 
tine as usual. The day came but no postman de- 
livered a lace-edged envelope at Florrie’s door, 
although dozens were carried to Amy's house at 
the first delivery, and during the day other val- 
entines arrived from the city from many of her 
faithful subjects there. 

At noon, Florrie looked carefully on the hall- 
table, the letter-tray in the library, and then asked 
the maid if any letter had come for her that day. 
But the girl shook her head. 

“Florrie was so hurt over the affair that she 
felt she must cry, but she did not wish to have 
anyone see her tears, so she hurried up to the 
attic and threw herself down upon an old sofa. 
Here she could cry and sob just as hard as she 
liked and no one would hear. 

“After a time, however, she heard Philip 
whistling in his back-yard where he was building 
a rabbit-hutch. So Florrie crept over to the dia- 
mond-paned dormer window to see if Amy were 
with him. She knew that she would have been 
helping him with the house if Amy had not 
moved into the neighborhood ! But now — 


i 4 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Philip most likely forgot she ever lived, and cer- 
tainly she felt very much alone ! 

“Philip was working quite close to the board 
fence so that Florrie had to lean over to one side 
of the window to see him at all. A very old- 
fashioned secretaire stood by the side of the win- 
dow, leaning against the wall, as its front claw- 
foot had been broken off and it wobbled uncer- 
tainly on its three shaky legs. 

“Florrie leaned over too far and lost her bal- 
ance. She threw out both hands wildly to clutch 
hold of anything in reach, and thus caught hold 
of the corner of the secretaire, making it sway 
dangerously towards her. 

“But it was too heavy to fall over, and soon 
was steadied again against the wall. The sud- 
den push, however, and the toppling forwards, 
had loosened a tiny secret drawer that was fitted 
in the front of the top drawer, and looked for all 
the world just like a bit of fancy carving. This 
secret drawer was not more than an inch deep 
but it extended all across the front of the article 
of furniture. 

“Of course, the moment Florrie saw the queer 
flat little drawer she pulled it out as far as she 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


i45 


could and stood looking in amazement at the 
stained and yellow papers neatly arranged in flat 
packages. She took up a few of them gently for 
they appeared to be very old, and then she found 
at the bottom of one ribbon-tied package, a lovely 
old valentine. 

“Florrie eagerly took it to the window and 
opened the crumbling ribbon. The valentine was 
hand-made on parchment paper and had the pic- 
ture of two doves meeting, with a tiny heart held 
between them. The picture seemed to be done in 
pale colored ink, which Florrie learned later was 
'illuminated.' 

“Underneath the picture was a line which 
read: 'From Philip to Florence, with all his 
love.’ And then followed a verse composed by 
the writer. It was very sweet and tender, and 
little Florrie smiled as she thought of the strange 
valentine she received from Philip after all ! 

“She ran downstairs to her mother with the 
valentine, and Florrie was not disappointed at 
her expectation of mother's surprise! In fact, 
both of them hurried up to the attic again to care- 
fully remove the papers and take them down to 
the library. 


146 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

" 'How do you suppose they ever got into that 
old drawer ?’ asked Florrie, eagerly. 

" 'Why, you see this old secretaire does not be- 
long to our family. When Philip’s family first 
moved next door, they had no place for the high 
piece of furniture and it would not go up the nar- 
row attic stairs of their house. Your father 
needed just such a desk to hold all of his many 
papers that year, so he offered to buy it from 
Philip’s father. 

" 'At first they didn’t want to take any money 
for it, for they said it wasn’t worth anything, 
but father said he would feel as if he had a bet- 
ter right to use it if he bought it, so it was set- 
tled that way. Last year, when father purchased 
the new desk he had this antique piece sent to 
the attic.’ 

"As soon as the papers were dusted off and 
carefully placed in a box, Florrie and her mother 
hurried over to Philip’s house with them — but 
Florrie kept the valentine in her own room. 

"There was great excitement over the discov- 
ery of the papers for they proved to be the miss- 
ing papers of a great grandfather’s which were 
absolutely necessary to prove Philip’s claim to 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


147 

a valuable New England Farm — now the suburbs 
of a city. 

“Everything necessary to identify the heir and 
all of the papers to establish his rights were 
found among the old yellow papers — but one lit- 
tle link was missing! 

“ 'Our great grandfather always kept the val- 
entine he sent to his sweetheart, as it was a token 
of betrothal. This letter mentions it, but I can- 
not find it with the others/ said Philips mother. 

“Then Florrie flushed uncomfortably and con- 
fessed: T wanted a valentine to-day, and I 
thought no one would miss that one so I kept it/ 

“Then Philip looked surprised. 'Didn’t you 
get the one I sent you?’ cried he. 

“ 'Did you send me one V eagerly asked Flor- 
rie. 

“'Of course! Did you think I would forget 
you ?’ laughed Philip. 

“ 'Well, I never got it. I must ask the post- 
man about it when he comes/ replied Florrie. 

“ 'Oh, I didn’t send it by post — Amy was going 
past your place she said, and she offered to drop 
it in your letter-box by the door. I was in a 


148 THE BLUE BIRDS' UNCLE BEN 


hurry to go to the store for mother and I had 
to go the opposite way,' explained Philip. 

“Florrie wondered if Amy would do anything 
so mean as to keep a valentine which did not be- 
long to her, and Philip said nothing but seemed 
to think a great deal. 

“While Florrie ran home to get the old-fash- 
ioned valentine Philip ran over to Amy's house. 

“Amy seemed very glad to see him but he said 
hurriedly, ‘Where is the valentine I asked you to 
leave at Florrie's door?' 

“ ‘Oh, goodness me ! I forgot all about it ! I 
have it in my coat pocket! How could I have 
been so careless !' 

“As Amy went out to get her coat, Philip fol- 
lowed but the valentine was not in her pocket. 
Instead, Philip saw a crumpled envelope and 
some pieces of lace and colored paper on the 
hearth of the fire-place and he stooped over to 
make sure what it was. Then he gave Amy one 
look and ran away. 

“When Florrie returned with the aged valen- 
tine, they all read and laughed happily over the 
quaint missive, and then Philip took it and 
whispered in his mother's ear. She smiled and 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


149 


nodded her head, so the boy took the valentine 
over to Florrie and said, ‘I found out the ready- 
made valentine from the store was destroyed so 
I am giving this dear old valentine to you for 
your very own from your friend Philip/ 

“Florrie was so pleased with the old valentine 
that she forgot all about the other one. 

“Now, I suppose every Blue Bird and Bobolink 
will wonder what happened to Philip and Florrie 
after this. So, I must add: Philip came into 
his property soon after the discovery of the pa- 
pers and when the two children were grown up 
they married and lived happily ever after. They 
will be very glad to donate money or valentines 
to the Little Citizens if you will write and ask 
them to help. I will give you the address if you 
wish it.” 

This story was considered one of the best the 
publishers had ever heard or read, as it was ex- 
actly like a real fairy-tale and love-story and ad- 
venture combined in one. 

After this story came a poem written by La- 
vinia Starr. Considering that Lavinia was not 


1 5 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


twelve years of age, the poem was pronounced 
very good indeed. It was named, 

WASHINGTON AND HIS HATCHET 

There was a boy named Washington, 

And one day when his “chores” were done 
He got permission to go and play 
With his hatchet not far away. 

Going through the yard he spied, 

Away off to the right-hand side, 

A cherry tree — his father’s pride — 

And longingly the tree he eyed. 

There it stood; at once he thought, 

“My hatchet can bring that to naught!” 

So he began to chop straightway, 

Never thinking what Pa would say. 

His father, in the afternoon, 

Strode angrily into the room. 

“Who cut my tree?” cried Washington; 

“I did!” said the hopeful son. 

“ Tis better to chop down twenty trees,” 

Said Pa to the son at his knees; 

“For that would not be half so bad 
As to tell a lie to your dear old dad.” 

The young publishers laughed over Vene’s 
poem, but they liked it, for it was funny and 
would make many a Little Citizen laugh, too. 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


151 

After the poem came a story written by a 
friend of Uncle Ben's. She had heard of the work 
the children were doing and wrote to tell Uncle 
Ben that she would be glad to contribute a story 
each month if the young publishers wished her 
to do so. A letter was written thanking Mrs. 
MacCloud for her kind offer and the first story 
she sent was called "The Squirrel's Valentines." 

"The little gray squirrel scurried across the 
snow and up to the nest where lived his best 
friend. 

" 'Nipper, do you know what Valentine's Day 
is ?' he asked as he was welcomed into the warm 
little house which Mrs. Nipper took pains to 
keep in perfect order. Mr. Nipper looked mysti- 
fied. 

" 'Never heard of such a thing,' said he. 

“ 'Well, I'll tell you,’ and Frisky settled himself 
down to impart his newly acquired information. 

" 'I heard a little boy and girl in the green- 
house on the hill-side talking about it, and they 
said that it was the day of all the year to write 
down some love thoughts and send them to your 
friends without telling who sent them. Now, 


ij2 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

we squirrels have never known of such a day, and 
if we are behind the times, we want to catch up 
mighty quick! I think we ought to celebrate 
Valentine’s Day.’ 

'When is it?’ asked Nipper. 

" T heard Donald tell his sister it would be the 
14th of February — that is only two days from 
now, so we must get busy right away,’ replied 
Frisky. 

"Frisky and Nipper tried to think of some good 
plan to initiate squirreldom into the plan of send- 
ing valentines, but nothing really worth while 
seemed to present itself to their thoughts. 

"While they were debating the weighty ques- 
tion, Mrs. Nipper appeared on the threshhold, 
and after greeting Mr, Frisky cordially, asked 
him what seemed to trouble them. 

"Mr. Nipper then told her what they had been 
talking about and concluded with, Tm sure, my 
dear, now that you are here to suggest something, 
we can decide immediately on the way to cele- 
brate this new holiday.’ 

"Mrs. Nipper looked pleased, but reminded her 
husband that he must not depend upon her for 
good thoughts as much as he should look to the 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


i53 

One who gave all good thoughts that were to be 
expressed. 

“As Mrs. Nipper spoke, Mr. Frisky remem- 
bered something. ‘Ell tell you the plan that 
comes to me right now !' 

“Mr. and Mrs. Nipper seemed very curious to 
hear it. 

“ 'Instead of writing notes suppose we give 
love-gifts and send love-thoughts to our friends. 
We have more nuts stored away than we can 
possibly use before summer comes again, and the 
Chipmunks have such a large family that they 
almost always run out of food before winter is 
over. It would be very nice to leave a large 
pile of nuts near their door on Valentine's Day, 
and then hide and see what they say!' 

“'Just the thing!' exclaimed Mr. Nipper and 
his wife. 

“ 'And the Beaver family,' added Mrs. Nipper. 
'You know they are always so busy that they do 
not have time to bother about dessert. All they 
can get to eat in the winter is tree-bark and roots. 
I think they would just love to have a Valentine 
Day of nuts given them. But we must not let 
them know who did it !' 


i 5 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“By this time Mr. Nipper thought of many 
other friends who would appreciate a little feast 
of nuts, so the three friends were very happy 
planning the surprises. 

“On Valentine’s Day what pleasure they had 
— and gave, too. Piling the nuts where their 
friends would find them readily, they scampered 
away to hide in the topmost boughs of a nearby 
tree to watch the delight of the little wild-wood 
people who found the love-gifts waiting for them. 

“Valentine’s Day was a happy day for many of 
the furry families of the woods, not only that 
year, but many following years, for soon, it be- 
came the custom for all of the friends to ex- 
change love-gifts with each other, and many of 
the poor Little Citizens of the forest were helped 
to live through the cold winter without fear of 
famine.” 

The Blue Birds liked this little story immensely, 
and Ned declared that they were improving every 
month in their grade of stories for the magazine. 

Uncle Ben had compiled a page of puzzles and 
charades and Mrs. Catlin had written a page of 
ideas for entertaining — all suitable for Valen- 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


155 


tine’s Day, or George Washington parties. The 
Cherry Tree party, described in detail was tried 
at the Starr’s house the week following the com- 
ing-out of the magazine and it was great fun. 

Aunt Selina started to describe Happy Hills in 
this issue, and a small notice at the close of her 
article told all the poor children who would read 
or hear of the magazine that a great party, last- 
ing from June to September, would take place 
at Happy Hills, in the Valley of Delight. That 
everyone was invited to come and stay as long 
as they wished. Poor, sick, dumb or blind — all 
would be welcome and find rest in the woods. 

It was Aunt Selina’s purpose to introduce her 
camp plans in plenty of time to insure success. 
So she determined to give full particulars of her 
plans and start early to invite all she could gather 
together. 

A friend of Uncle Ben’s had sent in a humor- 
ous story about George Washington which 
greatly amused the readers for they knew it was 
all make-believe on the part of the story-teller. 

Then Uncle Ben had found a splendid speech 
delivered by Lincoln at Gettysburg on November 
19, 1863, on the occasion of the dedication of a 


156 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

part of the famous battle-field as a soldier’s 
cemetery. 

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers 
brought forth on this continent a new nation, 
conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposi- 
tion that all men are created equal. 

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, test- 
ing whether that nation, or any nation so con- 
ceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We 
are met on a great battle-field of that war. We 
have come to dedicate a portion of that field as 
a final resting-place for those who here gave their 
lives that that nation might live. It is altogether 
fitting and proper that we should do this. 

“But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we 
cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow, this ground. 
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled 
here, have consecrated it far above our poor 
power to add or detract. The world will little 
note nor long remember what we say here, but it 
can never forget what they did here. It is for 
us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the 
unfinished work which they who fought here 
have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather 


THE FEBRUARY NUMBER 


i57 


for us to be here dedicated to the great task re- 
maining before us — that from these honored dead 
we take increased devotion to that cause for 
which they gave the last full measure of devo- 
tion ; that we here highly resolve that these dead 
shall not have died in vain, that this nation, un- 
der God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and 
that government of the people, by the people, for 
the people, shall not perish from the earth.” 

The Secretary of the National Audubon Soci- 
ety sent in a fine bird story, and the Big Chief 
of the Woodcraft League wrote an Indian legend 
for the publishers. So, taking all things into 
consideration, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks de- 
clared the February issue a wonderful success. 

On the last page of the magazine appeared 
this splendid selection from a lecture written by 
Abraham Lincoln in 1850. 

“The leading rule for the man of every calling 
is diligence . Leave nothing for to-morrow 
which can be done to-day. Never let your cor- 
respondence fall behind. Whatever piece of 


1 58 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


business you have in hand, before stopping, do all 
the labor pertaining to it which can be done.” 

“Well, that rule is big enough to be made into 
a motto and hung in our office at the barn !” ex- 
claimed Ned, after reading it over carefully. 

“Yes, but maybe Lincoln didn’t publish a maga- 
zine and go to school at the same time. Maybe 
he wouldn’t have been so strict about writing up 
correspondence, if he had had to do what I have !” 
grumbled Jinks. 

Everybody laughed for it was one of Jinks’ 
failings that he postponed letter writing of any 
sort, and that was why he had been elected to 
the position of secretary of the company. 


CHAPTER VIII 


EEUTEy’s return to happy hiu,s 

“Dear, dear! I never saw time fly as it has 
since I came to Mossy Glen with Ruth. I came 
to visit a few days and here it is almost four 
months! If it were not for the necessity of pre- 
paring Happy Hills for the Little Citizens com- 
ing this summer I could find enough to do here to 
keep me busy for a whole year, I daresay !” 
laughed Aunt Selina one morning at breakfast. 

“Why, Flutey! You have loads of time to get 
ready for the poor children this summer ! What 
shall we do for our March magazine without you 
to help us?” cried Ruth, aghast at the idea of 
losing Aunt Selina’s aid. 

“Oh, I am not such a help, but I must admit 
that the entire publishing company has been a 
most important help to me ! I have felt so well 
and strong since taking an interest in this work 
that I might be persuaded to say that I have 
dropped twenty years from my age!” 

159 


160 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


<f Well, Flutey, you look it, too!” declared Mrs. 
Talmage. 

“Yes, I often feel tempted to introduce Flutey 
as my sister instead of my great-aunt, these 
days!” added Uncle Ben. 

Miss Selina smiled indulgently at her niece 
and nephew but shook her head disparagingly. 

Mr. Talmage entered the dining-room at that 
moment with an open telegram in his hand and 
a frown upon his face. Everyone looked at him 
questioningly as he took a seat at the table. 

“Well, my vacation is ended! I have to go 
back to Brazil as soon as I can arrange affairs 
up here. It seems this strike fever has pene- 
trated as far as the wild forests of Brazil and 
our half-breeds are determined to go out unless 
their work-day is shortened two hours. Of 
course they have been incited to do this by some 
ignorant fellow who doesn’t know the conditions 
prevailing in Brazilian forests. For the amount 
of timber cut we already pay exorbitant wages !” 
exclaimed Mr. Talmage. 

“Oh, father! We thought you were going to 
be home all summer !” cried Ruth, on the verge of 
tears. 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 161 


"So did I, Fluff — but I may be back again be- 
fore the summer is well on, you know. I have 
to take that trip to the west when Mr. Starr goes. 
This labor trouble may prove to be but a 'tempest 
in a teapot/ explained Mr. Talmage. 

"Goodness me, what will the Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks do without two of their strong allies !” 
wondered Mrs. Talmage. 

"We have one pleasure left us after father and 
Flutey are gone — we can surprise them with ex- 
amples of our work in the magazine and farm 
plan!” declared Ned. 

"When will you be ready to leave, Al?” asked 
Uncle Ben of his brother. 

"I will run into the city with you and find out 
when the next steamer sails for South America, 
and then arrange my affairs at the New York 
office for a short absence,” replied Mr. Talmage. 

That evening was not a very merry one, for 
everyone felt the sense of the impending de- 
parture of two of their best friends and no one 
wished to plan or talk of future work for the 
Little Citizens. 

Then came a lovely warm morning in March 
when Ike brought the car to the front door and 


1 62 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


everyone crowded out on the veranda steps to 
wish Flutey a safe journey back to Happy Hills. 
Uncle Ben was going with her on the ride and 
would return with Ike in the evening. 

The house seemed empty after Aunt Selina 
had gone, and the two Talmage children had to 
run to the publishing company’s offices in the barn 
to keep from crying. Even Mother Wings felt 
forlorn and accepted an invitation from Mrs. 
Starr to go with her to take luncheon at Mrs. 
Catlin’s. 

Then came the day when Mr. Talmage sailed 
and another void in the family had to be tem- 
porarily filled by friends remaining at Oakdale. 

One day, while the Blue Birds were in their 
Winter Nest talking over the stories spread be- 
fore them for the next issue of the magazine, 
Fluff said, “We haven’t thought of a single thing 
to do for our Little Citizens since Valentine’s 
Day!” 

“There isn’t anything to do !” replied Betty. 

“We did so much in February, with valentines 
and Lincoln and Washington, that it seems we 
have used up all extra ideas until spring comes 
with a nice green crop!” exclaimed Dot Starr, 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 1 63 

at which every one laughed merrily, for Dot al- 
ways said the funniest things! 

“April Fools , day comes pretty soon!” sug- 
gested Frances. 

“Oh, I wouldn’t want our Little Citizens to 
celebrate that day !” cried Ruth. 

“Well, what’s the matter with Easter, then?” 
asked Edith. 

“Why, sure enough ! We must have an Easter 
Number like every other big magazine, and then 
we can try to think of some fine way to help 
the children celebrate !” cried Ruth, clapping her 
hands. 

“I wonder if the Bobolinks remembered it 
would be the Easter Number of the magazine? 
Hadn’t we better run to the barn and see if any 
of them are there?” asked Dot. 

“Say, Dot, how many times must the boys re- 
mind you not to call their publishing offices a 
barn! Ned says it isn’t a barn any more!” 
laughed Ruth. 

“ ’Tis so! Just because they have a lot of 
type and a printing press in it doesn’t make it 
a regular office building ! Why, Ike stored some 
extra hay up there this winter, so what would 


1 64 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


you call that except a hay-loft! And who ever 
heard of hayseeds being kept in a printing of- 
fice !” retorted Dot. 

Mrs. Talmage opened the door in time to hear 
Dot’s last remark and she laughed heartily as 
she replied, a Well, Uncle Ben has called several 
of his workmen 'hayseeds’ so it is doubtful 
whether hayseeds are confined to the country 
publishing offices !” 

When Mother Wings had been told about the 
Easter idea she endorsed it and said she would 
look over some of their short stories while they 
ran to the office to find the Bobolinks. 

Here the Blue Birds found the young pub- 
lishers busily at work cutting and pasting the 
duplicate galley proofs of the stories and articles 
that were spread out on the table of the Winter 
Nest. 

The moment the girls ran in with faces which 
told there was some new plan of interest being 
evolved, Ned dropped his paste-brush and mo- 
tioned to the other boys to suspend work. 

"Well, what now? Something’s set you all 
agog!” said he to the Blue Birds. 

"I should think so! What are you going to 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 165 

call this next issue of the magazine ?" cried Dot. 

“Why, the same as usual! Didn't we decide 
on the name long ago ? What's the trouble now ? 
You just leave this publishing business to us 
and 'tend to your story and editorial end of it!" 
said Mete, scornfully, for Dot was almost four 
years his junior. 

"Ha, ha! Think you are smart, don't you!" 
retorted Dot, shrugging her shoulders in glee for 
she knew they would all feel humbled when they 
heard what the girls had thought of. 

“I'll tell you, boys!" hurriedly said Ruth, to 
prevent any ill-feeling. "You see Easter will 
come before our next number is due, and we 
ought to name this our Easter Number!" 

"Why! That's so!" murmured Don, looking 
at his associates with chagrin. 

"Humph ! What about all this stuff we have 
ready to dummy up into a magazine?" wondered 
Ned, turning over the yellow sheets of galley 
proofs. 

"We can keep some of them standing for the 
next issue and pick out the ones that will fit in 
for Easter!" explained Ruth. 

"Yes, LTncle Ben said that we could always 


1 66 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


hold over any article we needed or wished post- 
poned by writing on the galley sheets, 'Stand for 
next month.’ But we can’t afford to lose any 
time writing to our friends to send in suitable 
stories for Easter, nor can we ask Uncle Ben to 
write all of them. What can we do about it?” 
worried Ned, looking at the other boys. 

"You just leave it to us and we will soon have 
all the suitable Easter things you need,” offered 
Dot. 

"And we also want some sort of an Easter 
plan set going for our Little Citizens. If we 
Blue Birds promise to get the articles for you in 
a day’s time, you boys ought to get together and 
think of some scheme to celebrate Easter for 
those children,” declared Norma. 

"I say, that’s fair! You get the things to set 
up in type and we will plan out some new amuse- 
ment for Little Citizens,” cried Jinks. 

"All right! Here we go! We will report to 
you at five to-night — here at the barn!” shouted 
Dot, turning to run away. 

"Heigh, there, Dot! meet us all here at our of- 
fice!” corrected Don. 

It was Saturday morning and there was a 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 167 

whole bright happy day before the Blue Birds in 
which to gather some new Easter material for 
their precious little magazine. Back they flew 
to their Winter Nest to report to Mother Wings. 
For at least five minutes thereafter, all were busy 
talking together and suggesting various plans. 
At the end of that period Ruth ran to the tele- 
phone that connected with the garage, and asked 
Ike to bring the big car around as soon as pos- 
sible. 

“Mrs. Catlin’s first, Ike!” ordered Mrs. Tal- 
mage as the Blue Birds jumped into the auto- 
mobile, followed by Mother Wings. 

Arrived at the house on the hill, the children 
trooped up the steps of the piazza but Mrs. Cat- 
lin heard them before they rang the door-bell. 
She flung open the door and welcomed them. 

“Isn't it queer that you Blue Birds should ap- 
pear just as I was telling a friend of mine about 
your work for Little Citizens?” cried Mrs. Cat- 
lin, while motioning the children towards the 
large living-room. 

As she followed with Mrs. Talmage, she called, 
“Basil, here come the Blue Birds we were just 
speaking of.” 


1 68 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Then the children were introduced to Mrs. Cat- 
lin’s cousin who was connected with a large li- 
brary in the city. Of course, the subject of an 
Easter number was immediately taken up and 
discussed, while the cousin sat and smiled at the 
enthusiasm manifested by the Blue Birds. 

It appeared that the little publishers needed a 
few stories or articles suitable for a spring num- 
ber, so Mrs. Catlin listened quietly until they had 
concluded their demands. 

"Basil, you are such a splendid scholar, why 
can’t you go into the library and sit down quietly 
and think up some story or verse for this Easter 
magazine?” Mrs. Catlin asked her cousin. 

"Oh, yes, yes, please do ! That will help a lot !” 
declared Dot, eagerly. 

So Mrs. Catlin’s cousin Basil laughed and 
left the room to hastily write for the magazine. 

The Blue Birds discussed many different ways 
of securing what they needed before five o’clock 
and so it was not to be wondered at that Basil 
finished his poem and returned before they real- 
ized how long a time had elapsed. 

The paper was given to Mrs. Catlin who 
glanced over it hastily and smiled. "I’ll read it 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 1 69 


aloud to you, Blue Birds, but it strikes me as be- 
ing very partial to the Bobolinks !” 

The children clustered nearer the arm-chair 
where Mrs. Catlin sat and listened attentively 
while she read. 

BOB O. LINK* 

Oh, Bob O. Link was the nicest boy! 

Of his mother’s heart he was the joy — 

And why, do you children think? 

He was up each day at the dawn of light, 

He sang at his play from morn till night — 

Gay little Bob O. Link. 

For any work he was far too small, 

But you know that working isn’t all; 

He added many a link 
To the golden chain of helpfulness, 

Which made his weary mother bless 
Kind little Bob O. Link. 

When in the morning she combed his hair 
(It was very curly, and soft and fair) 

If she found a little kink, 

He did not howl like a boy I know, 

He only laughed and said, “Oh-h-h!” — 

Brave little Bob O. Link. 

His mother knew what he said was true ; 

And when she gave him a thing to do, 

He did it, quick as a wink; 

* Contributed by Basil E. Ebers. 


1 7 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

Some boys, you know, will wait and wait, 
Until to do it, it is too late — 

But not good Bob O. Link. 

'And whenever there came a rainy day, 

And in the house he was forced to stay, 

His face seemed a little chink 
Where the sun shone through — he did not pout, 
But was happy indoors, as well as out — 

Wise little Bob O. Link. 

And when it was time to go to bed, 

And in his dear little, round little head 
His eyes began to blink, 

And his mother said, “Come, Bobby dear, 

I think the Dream-Bird is flying near” — 
“Good-night,” said Bob O. Link. 

And would give his father a loving kiss ; 

Now if you will be as good as this 
(You boy, with the cheeks so pink 
And the eyes so bright, who reads this song), 
Why, you’ll be helping the cause along, 

And you’ll be a BOBOLINK. 

As Mrs. Catlin finished reading the poem the 
Blue Birds declared it was perfectly lovely and 
ought to please the boys a great deal, for noth- 
ing had as yet been especially written for the 
Bobolinks, but plenty had been said about the 
Blue Birds. 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 1 7 1 

'‘Well, Basil, we are all greatly indebted to 
your versatile brain for this poem, but I still have 
a favor to ask,” said Mrs. Catlin, laughingly. 

"Well, cousin, seeing the cause so worthy, I 
shall be glad to grant it before I hear what it 
is,” laughed Cousin Basil. 

"It is only this! Can’t you retire once more 
to that inspiration room and write up a jolly 
little jingle for Easter?” 

"Of course — that is soon granted,” replied 
Basil. 

And in the course of another five minutes, the 
Blue Birds were presented with a fine little jingle 
called "The Bunnies’ Easter Eggs.” 

“The Bunnies tried on Easter Day to paint some eggs in 
bright array; 

But one poor Bunny broke a shell — another spilt the paint 
as well. 

At last, however, all are done and ready for the morrow’s 
fun. 

And all is well for Easter Day when they’ll hide these 
pretty eggs away.” 

"Good ! I think we have done well for half an 
hour’s visit,” declared Mrs. Talmage, preparing 
to go. 


I 7 2 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“And be sure to bring that story of Easter 
to our Winter Nest before four o’clock!” re- 
minded Ruth, as she said good-morning to Mrs. 
Catlin. 

“It will surely be there on time!” laughed the 
lady. 

Soon after the Blue Birds had gone, Mrs. Cat- 
lin turned to her cousin and said, “Well, Basil, 
you will have to amuse yourself for some time 
until I write this little story which I promised the 
Blue Birds to have ready upon their return.” 

“All right, Cousin, and while you are busy I 
will telephone a friend in the city with whom I 
had an engagement for dinner to-night. I have 
an idea he can add a most interesting article. 
While he speaks over the ’phone I can take it 
down in short-hand at this end of the wire,” said 
Cousin Basil. 

“Oh, fine, fine ! Do try and get him at once,” 
eagerly replied Mrs. Catlin. 

While her cousin was talking with his friend 
over the telephone extension in the library, Mrs. 
Catlin sat in the living room and wrote her little 
story. 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 173 


AN EASTER AI^EGORY 

One beautiful Easter morning a little girl was 
born in a grand house which stood on a very 
aristocratic avenue of the great city. Only peo- 
ple of great wealth could live in homes in that 
neighborhood, for the property and rents were 
very expensive. 

Before night of that same Easter Day the 
young mother passed away and left the babe in 
the care of others. 

The child thrived and grew and the father 
watched anxiously as each year passed until his 
little girl reached the age of seven. During 
these years the child had been given everything 
one can wish for. Toys of every description 
were scattered about the house while the little 
girl was awake, and flowers from the florists 
wafted their fragrance from every room — for 
little Marian was very fond of flowers. This 
seventh birthday, therefore, was celebrated with 
great masses of lovely flowers wherever a jar 
could be placed to hold them. 

Papa came home that noon to take his little 
daughter for an outing. Then, as she ran down 


i 7 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

to meet him in the front hall, he caught her up 
and said, “What does my little girl want most 
of all for a birthday gift to-day?” 

“Ah, papa, if I could only have a little girl to 
play with ! Someone of my very own — not 
Grace next door, or Helen who lives in the big 
hotel, for they have their own mammas and 
papas !” 

Papa sighed and said, “Well, Marian, such a 
gift is not easy to provide, especially someone 
suited to the company of my precious little girl. 
But we will take a drive into the country where 
the early blossoms are clustering on the fruit 
trees, and where the young grass and daring 
dandelions are singing all over the land!” 

So the two were soon in the open automobile 
speeding along a fine roadway that led to the 
beautiful country. But the sweet spring air and 
the beautiful country-scenes could not quite make 
Marian forget her real birthday wish. 

They were swiftly passing by a stretch of 
woodland, no house having been seen for many 
a mile, when suddenly Marian caught her 
father’s sleeve and pointed to some huddled chil- 
dren on a bank of moss under a great tree. 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 1 7 5 

Her father stopped the car and called out to 
a little girl who was about Marian’s age. 

“What is wrong, little girl?” 

The child turned quickly and showed traces of 
tears. At the sight, Marian jumped out of the 
automobile and ran over to the bank. Here she 
exclaimed at what she found beside the little girl. 

A little boy, thin and ill-looking, was stretched 
out unconsciously upon the moss. His face and 
hands were covered with dirt and scratches and 
blood oozed from a wound in his head. The 
coat was torn and dragged from his body while 
his little legs seemed to be laying helplessly upon 
the bank. 

“What has happened, little one?” asked Ma- 
rian’s father, gently, seeing at a glance that an 
accident had occurred to the boy. 

“A big car rushed down the road and ran over 
Tommy. He is all I’ve got in the world and now 
I don’t know whether he can walk on with me to 
a farm-house where I hope to find work.” 

“Did the people in the car know they had hurt 
Tommy?” cried Marian, shocked. 

“I don’t know. There was a crowd of men 
and women laughing and singing, and they never 


176 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


stopped a minute after I screamed and cried. 
Tommy was run over and I dragged him up here 
out of the roadway.” And the little girl sobbed 
and swayed back and forth. 

Marian’s father stooped over and found the 
child alive but when he tried the limbs he soon 
found they were fractured and helpless. He 
turned to the little sister. 

“What is your name, my little maid?” 

“Janet Marshall, sir. My mother and father 
died some years ago, and Tommy and I have had 
to live anywhere since that bad man took our 
money away from us.” 

Marian’s father was a lawyer and he at once 
felt that here was a rare case for law as well as 
a playmate for Marian. 

“Marian, you may bring your little birthday 
gift to the automobile while I carry Tommy,” ad- 
vised the father gathering the injured little body 
in his arms. 

Marian quickly took Janet’s hand and they 
ran down the bank after the father who laid the 
little boy carefully on the wide, soft seat in the 
back, and helped the two little girls in to sit be- 
fore Tommy so that he would not fall off. 


FLUTEY’S RETURN TO HAPPY HILLS 177 

The car soon reached the city where Tommy 
was taken to the hospital and given over to the 
surgeons with orders to take every care of the 
little fellow as he was a friend of Marian’s. 
The father said he would pay all expenses for 
the best surgeon to be had on the case. 

Janet was then told that Tommy would be 
cared for and would soon come home to live with 
her, and Marian had the joy of taking the little 
girl home. Once there, the father heard the 
story of how the two orphans were robbed of 
their inheritance and driven forth on the streets. 

When Janet told how she had wanted to see 
the green fields and sweet flowers once more, and 
how Tommy and she had walked all the way 
from the city that day, Marian almost cried. 
Then Janet said that a farmer told them of a 
place where the children might find work for 
the summer months on a farm a short distance 
down the road, and Tommy and she had hurried 
gladly away to find the house when the automo- 
bile ran over the little fellow. 

When Marian heard that Janet hadnofriendsor 
family other than Tommy, she embraced her say- 
ing, “God sent you to me for my birthday gift.” 


178 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Just as Mrs. Catlin finished writing her story, 
Basil came in laughing as he held out a paper 
filled with short-hand symbols. 

“Well, Cousin, did you finish your story?” 
asked Basil. 

“Yes — how about you?” replied Mrs. Catlin. 

“Well, I have it all here, but it will not do for 
an Easter story — it is more appropriate for the 
Fourth of July. My friend is the Chief of the 
Bureau of Combustibles and he said that in the 
spring when so many children play about rub- 
bish heaps left from house-cleaning, and make 
bon-fires, he thought a good lesson would be just 
the thing. So he gave me a story of a true case 
that came under his notice recently. But I won’t 
send it in for Easter. It will be more emphatic 
later on when Decoration Day, or the Fourth 
approaches.” 

Mrs. Catlin could not read stenography so she 
was unable to say whether or not the story was 
suitable for the Easter Number. 

“Well, you gave us some good reading matter 
anyway, so I will excuse you from more duty 
until next month,” laughed she. 


CHAPTER IX 


PREPARING HAPPY HII/CS 

After leaving Mrs. Catlin’s house, the Blue 
Birds sped along towards Dot Starr’s home. 
Mrs. Starr was at home and welcomed her visi- 
tors while her anxious little daughter, Dot, tried 
to explain all about the idea for an Easter Maga- 
zine. 

“And the whole story in a nutshell is, 'What 
can I contribute for the publishers?’ I suppose,” 
laughed Mrs. Starr. 

“Exactly!” laughed Mrs. Talmage in reply. 

Then Mrs. Starr was shown the two poems 
written by Mrs. Catlin’s cousin, and how they 
were promised a fine Easter story by Mrs. Cat- 
lin. 

“Well, I have been compiling some interesting 
data about the customs in different countries on 
the occasion of the various holidays, or feast- 
days, as they were called in olden times, and I 
179 


i8o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


can give you the article about April, without any 
delay. I have it in my portfolio,” said Mrs. 
Starr. 

“Do get it and let us hear it read,” said Mrs. 
Talmage. 

So Mrs. Starr left the room and in a short 
time she returned with the manuscript. She 
turned to the desired page and read: 

“April is the month of sunny smiles and show- 
ery tears, of clear and cloudy skies, of blooms 
and blossoms and all things that promise new 
life to the dwellers on earth. 

“April is the only month of all the year whose 
name is expressive of its nature. The name is 
derived from the Latin word ‘aperire,’ to open, 
in allusion to the opening of the buds of spring; 
all other months are named after heathen deities, 
or Roman emperors, but the Romans dedicated 
April to Venus the goddess of beauty. 

“It is a time when all nature seems singing 
and dancing for joy; the children skip rope and 
race after hoops, while the boys jump ‘hop- 
Scotch’ and play ball ; birds fly hither and thither 
in their busy nest-making, and butterflies chase 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 181 

each other in the sunshine, while every creature 
seems to awaken to the sweetness of life. 

“The first day of April, of all days in the year, 
is known as ‘All Fools’ ’ Day, and all sorts of 
practical jokes are allowed on that day. 

“April has its religious festivities, too, par- 
ticularly observed in England, when on the Sat- 
urday before Palm Sunday the children go out 
‘A-palming’ — that is, they go to the woods for 
slips of willow or rushes which takes the place of 
the palm in sections where a palm is never seen. 

“Then there is Maundy Thursday, when the 
poor folk receive gifts from friends. 

“But the best known, besides Easter Sunday, 
is Good Friday. This is universally remembered 
by children in England because of the hot-cross 
buns. In Germany, because of their dinner of 
noodles and stewed plums, and the especial coffee 
cake baked for this day only. In America, the 
children are also acquiring the custom of calling 
for hot-cross buns. 

“Then, before we finish the April talk, we must 
remember that the 23rd day of April is called 
St. George Day, for St, George is the patron saint 


1 82 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


of England, and we have all seen pictures of him 
on his beautiful prancing steed. 

“Easter in English comes from the Anglo- 
Saxon word ‘Eostre’ which mean goddess of 
light, or spring. This festival was always cele- 
brated in April, but our present Easter day comes 
according to the days of the church calendar — 
sometimes in March and then again in April, as 
the case may be. It is the day that everyone 
celebrates as the resurrection day and the old 
heathen celebration of the goddess of light is 
quite forgotten in these days.” 

Mrs. Starr finished reading the article and her 
audience pronounced it most appropriate. Then 
Mrs. Talmage added, “Why don’t you give the 
children one of those articles every month? I 
think they are very interesting and I’m sure the 
publishers will be glad to have them.” 

“Well, I selected them with that plan in view, 
but after I had read the magazine I concluded 
they were not interesting enough for children, so 
I put them in the desk again,” replied Mrs. Starr. 

“Well, you just get them out again and give 
them to me to take over to Ned!” declared Dot. 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 183 

“If Dot will permit me to add another idea to 
the one just accepted by her, I will say that I also 
have an article written about the origin of 'All 
Fools’ ’ Day, which I consider very interesting,” 
said Mrs. Starr. 

Dot felt rebuked by her wise mother and sat 
still without saying another word during the time 
the article was read. 

the: ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF “ATT foots’ ” DAY 

"The custom of playing a joke upon one’s 
neighbor on the first day of April is of very 
ancient times. In fact, it dates so far back in 
the past that we are unable to tell just when or 
with what nation it had its birth. 

"Among the Hindus there is a feast which is 
still observed, called the ‘huli’ which, continu- 
ing several days, terminates on the thirty-first 
day of March. One of the distinctive features 
of this feast is that everyone endeavors to send 
his neighbor upon some errand to some imaginary 
person, or at least to some person whom he 
knows will not be at home. When the joke is 
discovered they all have a good laugh. 


1 84 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“The observance of April Fools’ Day is a very 
popular one in France, and we find traces of it 
there at a much earlier period than we do in Eng- 
land. It is related that Francis, Duke of Lor- 
raine, and his wife, having been confined at 
Nantes as prisoners, successfully made their es- 
cape on April first. It was in this manner: 

“Knowing that the guards would be upon the 
lookout lest some joke be played upon them, the 
Duke and his wife disguised themselves as peas- 
ants, the Duke carrying a hod upon his shoulder 
and his wife bearing a basket of rubbish upon her 
back. 

“Thus disguised, they passed through the gates 
of the city at an early hour of the day. There 
was one woman, however, who guessed the se- 
cret of the escape. She was an enemy of the 
Duke’s, so she resolved that they should not thus 
escape. 

“She hastened to one of the guards and told 
him that the prisoners had escaped, but he re- 
garded her information as an attempt to play a 
joke upon him and he laughed heartily, crying, 
‘April Fool !’ to let the woman know that he was 
not to be caught napping. 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 185 

“Hearing the soldier call this out, the rest of 
the guard, led by their sergeant, shouted 'April 
Fool r until the woman was forced to retire with- 
out having accomplished her purpose. 

“When it was found that she had told the 
truth, it was too late, for the Duke and his wife 
had made good their escape. 

“In France, the person who is fooled is called 
'poisson d^vril/ 

“In England the custom of fooling others is 
practised very much as it is in the United States. 
The urchins on the streets make sport of trick- 
ing some passerby by calling attention to his coat- 
tails, or by pinning paper on his back. Some use 
white crayon and write the name 'April Fool* 
across an inviting black back of cloth. 

“While speaking of April Fools we must also 
mention the story of the Wise Fools of Gotham. 

“Gotham is a village in Nottinghamshire, Eng- 
land. One time, when King John and his retinue 
were marching toward the village, the people 
learned that he intended to pass through Gotham 
meadow. Now the ground over which a king 
passed in those days became a public highway 
ever after, and should this King be suffered to 


1 86 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


pass through their meadow the villagers knew 
that they would lose this valuable ground. 

“Hence, they resolved to save the meadow and 
a plan was devised. But the King was furious 
when he learned what had been done and he sent 
messengers at once to punish those who planned 
the plot. 

“When the Gothamites heard of the approach 
of the messengers, they were as anxious to es- 
cape punishment as they were to preserve their 
meadow, so they came together to think of a way 
to save themselves. 

“When the King’s messengers arrived at 
Gotham they found some of the inhabitants en- 
deavoring to drown an eel in a pond. Others 
were dragging their carts and wagons to the roof 
of the barns to shade the wood of the roof from 
the sun’s rays. Some others were rolling their 
cheeses down a hill, saying that they hoped to 
have them roll themselves into Nottingham Mar- 
ket. Still others were so engaged in hedging a 
cuckoo into a snare that they failed to hear the 
soldiers or anyone else when they were called. 

“So, seeing these foolish acts, the King’s mes- 
sengers considered the villagers all fools and re- 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 187 

turned to tell the King that they were quite too 
foolish to deserve any chastisement. 

“The Gothamites, however, laughed heartily 
when they found they had outwitted the King 
and his soldiers, and to this day a cuckoo bush 
stands upon the spot where they say the King’s 
messengers found the villagers trying to snare 
the bird.” 

This story was also hailed as appropriate for 
April and the Blue Birds eagerly took the prof- 
fered papers and hurried away. 

“Where shall we go next?” asked Norma. 

“We’ll go to Betty’s house, which is on the 
road, and ask her mother to give us some candy 
receipts. She always has a new kind of candy 
to make, you know,” said Mrs. Talmage. 

So the car full of children went to Betty’s 
house and were soon listening to a new kind of 
walnut fudge that made all of them smack their 
lips in imagined approval of the candy. 

“Now then, I think we must hurry home to 
see what we have in the Winter Nest that can be 
used for an Easter number,” said Mrs. Talmage. 


1 88 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“We’d better stop at Catlin’s place and get the 
stories she promised us,” reminded Ruth. 

So they stopped and received the story written 
by Mrs. Catlin, and then hurried on to the Winter 
Nest for work. 

Before four o’clock that afternoon they had 
enough appropriate ideas for a fine Easter maga- 
zine, and, with papers under their arms, they 
started for the publishing offices. 

But they found the Bobolinks in such a state 
of surprise and excitement that the promise to 
hear the Easter stories was quite forgotten. The 
moment the Blue Birds opened the door of the 
barn, Ned shouted to Ruth : 

“What do you think we have got?” 

“Goodness, I don’t know! When did you get 
it?” said Ruth. 

“Just after you girls left us this morning. 
Someone brought it to the house, but as Mrs. 
Talmage and you Blue Birds were gone, he 
brought it to us at the office!” laughed Jinks, 
gayly. 

“Do tell us and don’t keep us guessing !” cried 
Dot. 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 189 

“You haven’t guessed once! Try it!” teased 
Don. 

“IPs something from Uncle Ben!” declared 
Ruth. 

“Pooh ! Why would he mail something so im- 
portant when he expects to come down from the 
city to-night?” scorned Ned. 

“Oh, you didn’t say it came by mail ! In that 
case it must be some news from Flutey! Is it?” 
cried Ruth, seeing the boys look at each other as 
she spoke. 

“Yes, it is, and it is the finest article we will 
have in this Easter Magazine, for it is the real 
thing!” declared Mete, eagerly. 

“Do tell us what it is!” cried most of the Blue 
Birds impatiently. 

So, with great pretension of secrecy, Ned 
opened the papers he had hidden in his desk when 
he saw the girls run into the barn. 

“Here’s a pen and ink sketch of the plans or 
the nests Flutey proposes to build on the vast 
woodland back of the house at Happy Hills.” 

Ned spread out the sketch made by an archi- 
tect and the Blue Birds bent eagerly over the flat 
desk to study the plan. 


1 9 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

It appeared that each nest would hold six 
bunks, three on each side, and a place for a wider 
bunk at one end of the structure where the 
Mother Bird would sleep. Between each bunk 
there would be a locker built so that the owner 
of the adjoining bunk could use the locker for 
clothing, or a seat, while retiring or dressing in 
the morning. 

The Nests would be equipped with electric 
lights and would be about fifteen feet square. 
Strong posts held up a roof pitched to a center 
angle so that rain would shed from all sides. 
This roof extended for two feet out over the 
posts so that the rain could not beat down or in 
upon the bunks or lockers. On a clear day the 
entire Nest would be open on the sides, but should 
it rain, stout canvas shades made upon rollers 
could be drawn down and fastened to buttons on 
each side and at the bottom, just as the curtains 
of an automobile are buttoned down. 

A gallery of three feet width extended all 
about the Nest outside of the curtained section, 
and this gallery was railed in by a three-foot high 
rail and posts to keep little ones from falling off 
the platform, which was raised about two or 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 


191 

three feet from the ground to keep the Nest dry. 
Under the floor of the Nest was a dug-out and 
concreted cellar where toys, tools and other 
things belonging to the occupants of the Nest 
could be kept at night, or when not in use. 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were delighted 
with the wonderful plan spread out before them, 
and Ruth murmured, “Who’d have ever dreamed 
it? Only a year ago we started this Blue Bird 
and Bobolink Club!” 

“That isn’t all, Fluff ! Here’s another plan for 
the big recreation hall for the Little Citizens!” 
added Ned, replacing the plan for Nests by one 
of a large building. 

“You see, this, too, is built so it can be wide 
open on fine days, and protected by rain-proof 
canvas curtains when it rains. Here will be the 
long tables where the children eat meals, and 
every chair is ordered so that it can be quickly 
folded and stacked up when not in use. When it 
is open for use, a patented catch locks it so it 
can’t close up as most of these folding chairs do. 
The tables are folding affairs, too, and the whole 
refectory can be quickly cleared when the Little 
Citizens want to play games or dance. Aunt 


i 9 2 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

Selina says she is going to have good music at 
Happy Hills this summer and teach the Little 
Citizens all the Folk Dances known as well as 
the marching songs and other dances — such as 
flower dances, butterfly dances, etc.” 

The more they heard, the more amazed the 
Blue Birds became, and when Jinks said, “Tell 
them about the little farms!” Ruth exclaimed, 
“Where did you hear all of this!” 

“In the thick letter Flutey sent with the pic- 
tures.” 

“Were they sent to you boys?” Dot asked sus- 
piciously. 

“The registered package was addressed to the 
'Blue Bird & Bobolink Publishing Company,’ so 
you see, Miss Smarty, we had as much right to 
open and read it as you would have had!” re- 
torted Don. 

“Here, here, don’t you two get into an argu- 
ment while all of this big business has to be at- 
tended to!” warned Jinks. 

“Well, hurry and tell us about the farms, and 
Dot will forget Don is alive !” laughed Ruth. 

“Well, Aunt Selina writes that she had a man 
sent out from Washington, D. C., from the Agri- 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 


193 


cultural Department, and he looked over the soil 
and advised her where to lay out hundreds of 
tiny farms — patches of ground he called them. 
He said the Government would send all the seeds 
for vegetables and flowers she would need for 
the poor children, and it won’t cost a cent! 
Flutey is going to hire some good farmers from 
the country nearby to help and teach the Little 
Citizens how to farm their own little patch of 
garden so they can raise whatever they like. All 
that they raise during the summer they may sell 
or send home. 

“Each child will be given a hoe, a rake, a dig- 
ging fork and a spade. But every Little Citizen 
has to work in the garden for at least an hour 
each day — Flutey says this will give them good 
exercise and make them like farming after a 
time.” 

“Oh, Ned, it is all so grand that I can hardly 
believe it!” sighed Ruth. 

Just then Uncle Ben came in to remind the 
publishers that they needed a light, for it was 
much later than anyone had realized. When he 
appeared through the door-way he was greeted 


i 9 4 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

with a shout as is seldom heard, even in the 
country. 

But he was soon as interested in the plans and 
sketches as the children, and he declared that 
Flutey was certainly making up for the years 
she had lost. 

“Now, as she has taken the steps to start the 
work at once, I believe I will write her some 
suggestions. She must have a row of little bath- 
ing houses where the Little Citizens can hang 
their wet suits when they come out of the shallow 
little lake. She must have a ball-diamond for the 
boys to play baseball, and a big Council Ring 
where Woodcraft can be taught and practised 
every day. She must have books and a supply of 
stuff for the children to use when they weave 
grass-mats or work a bead-loom. She ought to 
have someone to teach a class in Nature each 
day, and a physical culture teacher to start a 
training class. I see where I shall have to ad- 
vertise in this Easter Number for some good 
kind teachers who will go to Happy Hills for 
the summer on a reasonable salary. That will 
pay the magazine for advertising and reach a 
teacher who would like this kind of a vacation.” 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 


i95 

“That sounds just like Uncle Ben, doesn’t it?” 
said Ned, gratefully. 

“But he’d better write that ad mighty quick, 
’cause we are going to finish our dummy to- 
morrow!” bragged Don. 

“What, on Sunday !” cried Uncle Ben, pretend- 
ing to be shocked, for he knew Don had forgotten 
it was Saturday. 

Not willing to admit that he was mistaken, 
Don retorted, “Well, I just guess there are lots 
of New York printers that work on Sundays — 
if they have to hurry up with a job!” 

Uncle Ben laughed heartily, and patted Don 
on the head. 

“I will wager anything that Don Starr won’t 
be a minister when he grows up!” declared Jinks. 

“No, nor a canal-boat driver as he planned 
he’d be the time we took that trip on the Erie 
Canal Boat!” laughed Mete. 

“Nor a lumberman as he engaged to be while 
we were in the Canadian forests!” added Dot, 
willing to pay back her twin for his unkind re- 
mark a short time before. 

“Don was determined to be a broncho buster 


i 9 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


when we were down on Grandpa’s ranch in 
Texas, you know,” added Mete, teasingly. 

“Ah, say, all of you! Can’t you let a feller 
alone for a secont! All them things happened 
when I was a little boy — now, I am grown up 
and know my own mind! I am going to be a 
man just like Uncle Ben, with plenty of money 
to help everyone. I’m goin’ to hunt up boys and 
girls who like to print papers and we will all pub- 
lish enough magazines to let every kid in the 
world have a copy every month !” declared Don, 
manfully. 

“You’re all right, Don, my boy! Just stick to 
that ambition and you’ll get there!” laughed 
Jinks. 

“Yes, Don is all right! It takes a man with 
mettle like Don’s to be able to down all of the 
enemies of a good plan, and to make that good 
plan worth something to the world,” commended 
Uncle Ben. 

So Don felt very much encouraged, indeed, 
when he found he was favored by Uncle Ben in 
this speech. 

“Uncle Ben, what will Flutey do with so many, 
many Little Citizens and only her old servants 


PREPARING HAPPY HlLLS 


197 

and herself to take care of them?” wondered 
Betty. 

“I have a plan for her that I think will work 
out very well on that point. It is my intention 
to send out little booklets telling all about the 
Blue Birds' plan at Happy Hills. The booklet 
will have pictures of the beautiful country, of the 
brook, of the Nests, of the general buildings, and 
other views which will interest the public. Then 
there will be explained what we need most: 
First, the Little Citizens who are in greatest need 
of a summer in the country; next, of funds to 
conduct such a large plan successfully; and then 
willing and interested young men and women who 
will agree to spend the summer at Happy Hills, 
each one to have charge of one Nest of six chil- 
dren and to receive a small salary for his and 
her time and labor.” 

“Oh, maybe we can print the booklet!” cried 
Don. 

“I have been hoping that you could find time 
to get in this work. I would much rather send 
the May number of your magazine to the city 
printers to press and bind and mail, after you 
have finished the preliminary work on it, and 


198 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

have you, instead of using time on that manual 
labor, get out these little booklets for me,” said 
Uncle Ben, seriously. 

“Why — you seem to have some especial reason 
for it!” said Ned. 

“Yes, I have. I want your publishing com- 
pany’s name at the bottom of the back cover of 
these booklets. I want to be able to state that 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks set up the type, 
printed the pages and bound the leaves of this 
Little Citizens’ pamphlet for the love of the 
Cause. That these little Blue Birds and Bobo- 
links — -the eldest of them not more than fourteen 
and the youngest seven — planned and started the 
great benevolent work that is proving to help so 
many children of the city. That these little 
workers have tried so hard in every way to carry 
out their ideas, that now they are actually run- 
ning their own printing plant, getting out a 
magazine each month and doing their own job 
work. That every boy in the Bobolink Band can 
set type, make linotype and run a press or 
stitcher.” 

“But why advertise us so much, Uncle Ben?” 
laughed Jinks. 


PREPARING HAPPY HILLS 199 

“Fm not advertising you — I am giving the 
public the facts that boys and girls of to-day can 
accomplish great things if their work and play is 
judicially selected. I want to show other chil- 
dren how much fun you all get out of this big 
idea, and at the same time hundreds and hun- 
dreds of children are blessed and hundreds of 
Grownups are awaking to a sense of generosity 
and responsibility of the poor Little Citizens. But 
this pamphlet must be a work of art, children, 
for I shall spare no expense in selecting hand- 
made paper and excellent photographs for it. I 
know you can do fine work and I shall help you 
all I can in producing it in this book.” 

“Oh, dear, I wish this old Easter Number was 
finished, so we could begin on the booklet!’’ 
sighed Dot, impatiently. 

“That is just the trouble with you, Dot; you 
are wild about a thing one minute and then get 
tired of it the next!” exclaimed Don, scornfully. 

“Why, Dot, you were so happy over the Easter 
Number this noon that you wished we could think 
up some scheme for giving the Little Citizens a 
good time on Easter Monday !” exclaimed Ruth, 
reproachfully. 


200 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Well, so I did, but this Happy Hills business 
and Uncle Ben’s book is so much more interest- 
ing than an Easter party !” said Dot. 

“I’m so sorry to hear you say that, as I had a 
little plan I wished to suggest to-night for Easter 
Monday!” sighed Uncle Ben, pretending to be 
disappointed. 

“Oh, do tell us what it is !” cried Dot, at once 
forgetting her previous disregard of Easter Mon- 
day. 

Everyone laughed, and Uncle Ben added, “I 
shall have to wait until after dinner for that. If 
any of you Blue Birds or Bobolinks cannot come 
over to the publishing office to-night for an hour, 
let me know so we can postpone the meeting, 
although I would really like to have it settled.” 

“It is Saturday, you know, and no school to- 
morrow, so I’m sure we can all be here,” replied 
Jinks. 

So each one went home with the delightful 
promise of having Uncle Ben explain his fine 
ideas for Easter Monday. 


CHAPTER X 


little: citizens’ easter egg party 

Although Dot Starr had recklessly declared 
that she wished everything with the Easter Num- 
ber was over with so she could get to work on 
the Happy Hills booklet, she really did not mean 
it, for she was just as anxious as anyone to bolt 
her dinner that evening and hurry back to the 
barn. 

When she arrived at the house — at least ten 
feet in advance of Don and Mete all of the way 
— she rushed to the dining-room. 

“Goodness gracious! Isn't dinner ready yet?” 
she called to the maid, as she stood in the door- 
way frowning at the table which was all ready 
to place the dinner on it at the proper time. 

“It tain’t time yet, Miss Dot,” replied the maid. 

“Well, all of the publishers have to hurry and 
get back to our office to-night. This is a special 
occasion and we have piles of work to do there,” 
retorted Dot. 


201 


202 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Dear me, Miss Dot, I never did see so much 
fussin’ as all you children do over that pesky 
barn business!” replied the maid, who was a 
privileged being, having been in the family for 
years. 

“Pooh! You will never understand the print- 
ing business — you spend so much time setting the 
table and washing dishes!” reproved Dot, turn- 
ing to leave the room. 

“Mebbe so, but I’ve heard your ma say that it 
doesn’t matter so much what we do as the way 
in which we do it!” replied wise little Jenny. 

“Oh, yes, yes ! I s’pose so. But tell me, Jenny, 
are there any doughnuts in the crock in the 
pantry?” asked Dot, suddenly having an inspira- 
tion before she closed the door of the dining- 
room. 

“Yes, but your ma doesn’t like you to eat any- 
thing just before dinner, you know,” reminded 
the maid. 

“Who’s going to eat ! I only asked you if there 
were any. I have to take a bagful with me to- 
night,” said Dot. 

The maid watched Dot run to the pantry with 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 203 

misgivings in her heart, for she knew the Starr 
twins only too well ! 

“There, now, I have to take these to the office 
to-night,” explained Dot, gathering up the four 
corners of an old napkin which she had filled with 
fresh doughnuts. 

She ran from the room none too soon, for Don 
put in an appearance immediately after she had 
gone. 

He looked about and found the room vacant, 
so he slipped over to the serving-table to see what 
the dessert would be that evening. 

“Pshaw ! It’s floating island and I love it so ! 
I hoped they would have bread puddin’ so I could 
be excused before the others !” sighed he, gazing 
longingly at the deep dishes of his favorite 
dessert. 

Jenny heard someone enter the room and 
quickly she appeared from the pantry to protect 
her dinner items. It seemed that Jenny or any 
of the Grownups that happened to be about al- 
ways felt it incumbent to step into the dining- 
room if the twins were heard prowling about 
before meal-time. 

“I just wanted to know what you had for 


204 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


dessert, Jenny,” explained Don, turning upon 
his heel to go from the room whistling a lively 
tune. 

“That’s all right, Master Don, but I noticed 
you changed the plates some. I gave the baby 
the deepest dish as she never has solid food at 
night!” remarked the astute Jenny. 

Don hesitated in the doorway while he watched 
Jenny go to the serving-table and replace Bob’s 
dish of pudding where it had been before he tam- 
pered with the arrangement of the dishes to make 
the most dessert fall to his lot when served that 
night. 

Slamming the door to show his disapproval of 
Jenny’s methods, Don ran up to look for Dot. 

The door to the playroom was locked. Don 
shouted, “Heigh! let me in! Who’s here, any- 
way?” 

“Me ! I’ll be there in a secont !” called Dot. 

“Up to somethin’, I know !” replied Don, start- 
ing a tattoo on the door-panels. 

In a few moments Dot flung open the door and 
Don went in looking keenly about for a clue to 
the cause of his twin’s locking the door — a most 
unusual procedure. 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 205 

Finding no hint of any subtle work, Don said, 
“We’ve got Floating Island for dessert.” 

“O-oh! really! I forgot to look, but I wish 
we could have dinner right away! We will be 
late for that meeting if we don’t eat before the 
others !” 

“I’ve been thinking that as this is a special 
evening, Mumzie wouldn’t care if we ate our 
dessert first — just to save time afterwards,” sug- 
gested Don, failing to remark, however, that he 
had tried to manipulate the dishes so that the 
most pudding would come to him when it was 
served. 

“Well, to tell you the truth, Don, I thought I 
would just eat my soup and bread and be excused 
from the rest of dinner ’cause I want to hurry 
back to the barn. But I don’t know about leav- 
ing that pudding!” ventured Dot, thoughtfully. 

“What would you say to eating it now and save 
time?” suggested Don. 

“Hum! I should say that was a very good 
idea — of course it is just to save time!” added 
Dot, looking knowingly at Don. 

So the twins crept downstairs very quietly to 
prevent Jenny from hearing them when they 


20 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


reached the dining-room. Don had Dot hold the 
door open while he tip-toed across the floor and 
selected Bab’s deep dish and another full dish; 
then he hurried out and both of the culprits man- 
aged to reach the glass-inclosed side-porch with- 
out being seen. 

The pudding soon disappeared and the twins 
smacked their lips as the dishes were placed 
under a taboret near the glass door leading to 
the sun-parlor. 

Just then the gong sounded for dinner and 
Don looked at Dot. 

“Are you hungry ?” 

“Not a speck! I’d rather run back to the office 
and work,” replied she, valiantly. 

“So’d I. Let’s leave a note for Daddum and 
then run!” 

While Don scribbled a note on a dirty piece of 
paper he found in his pocket, using a chewed- 
off pencil-point to write it with, Dot scouted and 
crept upstairs to get her coat and the bag of 
doughnuts. When she returned to the porch, 
Don had the note of explanation quite ready to 
deliver. 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 207 

“How will you get it in, unless we are caught ?” 
asked Dot. 

‘Til tie it to the door-knob and tell Jim, as we 
run past the barn, that someone left a message 
at the front door, and he’d better see who it is 
for!” 

This was done, and the twins impressed Jim 
with the importance of running to the house to 
see that the master had the message at once. Of 
course, Jim thought it was a telegram, and ran 
all of the way from the garage to the house to 
find a scrawl from the twins. 

Don and Dot were almost through the woods 
that divided Mossy Glen from Oakwoods, when 
Dot tripped over a root, stumbled and fell. The 
bag broke open and the doughnuts rolled out in 
every direction. 

“O-oh! There goes our dinner!” cried she, 
fearfully. 

“Til find them, never fear! It’s a good thing 
it isn’t very dark or we couldn’t see them so 
easy !” 

As the bag was destroyed by the fall, the twins 
had to distribute the doughnuts about their per- 
sons as best they could. Consequently, Don’s 


208 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


coat pockets were filled, while Dot’s white middy- 
blouse was belted in tight about the waist, and 
the upper part bulged out with doughnuts. 

Long before Uncle Ben and the others came 
to the barn Don and Dot began regretting their 
hasty act. Both children were healthy and ac- 
tive and had the usual enormous appetite of 
growing country children. Consequently, long 
before seven-thirty, they were so hungry that the 
doughnuts were quickly consumed. Then, al- 
though still hungry, they did not dare to go home 
for fear they would be sent to bed as a punish- 
ment for breaking the rules of the dining-room. 

It took all of Uncle Ben’s power of oratory to 
make the twins forget the gnawing that was so 
uncomfortable, but they managed to survive the 
evening and looked forward to a foraging party 
in the pantry as soon as they reached home. 

When all of the Blue Birds and Bobolinks, as 
well as some of the parents, were gathered in 
the publishing house, the project for an Easter 
party was placed before them. 

“You know, perhaps, that every Easter Mon- 
day at the White House in Washington, D. C., 
is devoted to the children. A great Easter Egg 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 209 


Party is given, and this has come to be known as 
the National Picnic, or Easter Egg Rolling at 
the White House. 

“If the day is fine, great crowds of children 
are admitted to the lawns at the back of the 
President’s house, where they roll their Easter 
eggs down the slopes of the lawn and have great 
fun trying to catch them with a spoon. 

“Stationed just before the great gates leading 
to the grounds are four big policemen to keep 
order. On the street, before reaching the gates, 
are venders of hot peanuts, popcorn, and gayly 
colored balloons. 

“Now, it is my plan to secure permission from 
the City Park Commissioner for an Easter Mon- 
day Egg Picnic at Bronx Park, or Van Court- 
landt Park, whichever he gives us. We can send 
out notices through the press — Mr. Richards will 
see to that for us — and each Little Citizen who 
comes and has no Easter eggs of his or her own, 
we will provide with a small basket holding four 
eggs and a picnic spoon. 

“The picnic will start at eleven o’clock and hot 
peanuts and popcorn will be distributed from 


210 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

various section-stands at one o’clock while the 
children eat their eggs. 

“We can carry out the plan of our Capitol’s 
Game very closely, so that the Little Citizens in 
New York and those at Washington will be play- 
ing the game at the same time. Maybe the other 
large cities, such as Boston, Philadelphia, Chi- 
cago and San Francisco, will join in this National 
Picnic next year. 

“Now, provided we can secure the funds to 
buy the peanuts, popcorn and eggs, what do you 
think of it?” 

The moment Uncle Ben finished, a grand 
chorus of voices applauded the scheme, but the 
elders seemed to hesitate in giving their unbiased 
approval. 

“Of course you know, Ben, that the Park Com- 
missioner at Washington found so much damage 
had been done to the slopes of the White House 
lawns that the game was forbidden,” said Mrs. 
Talmage. 

“I can explain that! Until the plan was ap- 
proved by President Hayes, the children played 
the game any old way, and so great was the mot- 
ley crowd of sightseers and peddlers with their 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 21 1 


push-carts and stands that all law and order were 
broken. But after the children were invited to 
come to the grassy lawns at the back of the White 
House, and the peddlers were made to keep to the 
streets, the children were so orderly that it was 
found to be entirely practical to give them the 
yearly Easter picnic. 

“It would be my plan to give the children the 
use of the public play-grounds at Bronx Park, 
as well as the baseball grounds and other short 
grassy places where the public is allowed to use 
the grass. As the season is too early to have the 
grass grown very long, there can be no draw- 
back found with that. Then if the little bags of 
popcorn and peanuts are kept by the ladies and 
distributed by Blue Birds and Bobolinks, as well 
as those children who will offer to help the Little 
Citizens — I can always call on the Boy Scouts to 
assist me in these plans, I know — there need be 
no trampling of grass by push-carts or peddlers. 
Of course, there will be such a scattering of egg- 
shells and peanut shells all over the grass that it 
will look like a varied-colored field instead of 
green grass. But the Little Citizens can be made 
to see that it is for their benefit if they are told 


2i2 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


and made to pick up the shells and leave the grass 
as neat and clean as it was before the picnic. 
This is what all Boy Scouts and Woodcrafters 
are made to do — always leave a camping spot in 
first-class order and cleanliness.” 

“That would be fine if you could enforce the 
discipline, but how are you to do it with so many 
groups of children?” persisted Mr. Starr. 

“We can do it, all right. I’ll agree to do that 
part of the contract,” laughed Uncle Ben. 

“Well, then, we will wish you luck and help 
all we can,” returned Mr. Starr. 

“Very good ! Now have I the earnest co-opera- 
tion of the Blue Birds and Bobolinks in this plan 
for the Little Citizens?” asked Uncle Ben. 

“Yes, indeed, you have!” shouted every one of 
them. 

“Then, my first step will be to telephone the 
New York office where I will find Mr. Richards, 
and get him to start the newspaper articles going 
in the morning papers. We must have funds to 
secure baskets, spoons and refreshments for the 
picnic, to say nothing of people who will offer to 
color the eggs,” said Uncle Ben. 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 213 


While he was telephoning Mr. Richards, the 
Grownups discussed the plan. 

“I should think that Ben would get permission 
from the Park Commissioner first, before an- 
nouncing the scheme in the newspapers,” said 
Mrs. Talmage. 

“Eve known Mr. Talmage a long time, and I 
find that he generally knows what he is doing. 
I shouldn’t wonder if he has the permit, all duly 
signed, in his coat pocket,” laughed Mr. Starr. 

So the moment Uncle Ben returned to the desk, 
he was beset by eager questioners. 

“How do you know we may have the park?” 
cried Don. 

“What will you do if you can’t get a permit?” 
said Ruth. 

“Somebody ought to supply jitneys to carry 
the lame and sick from the downtown streets to 
the Bronx,” suggested Jinks. 

“Or hire trolleys and subway trains to take the 
mob up there,” added Ned. 

“Oh, please, please!” cried Uncle Ben, cover- 
ing his ears with his hands to keep out the con- 
fusion. 

“Now, one at a time, please!” commanded he, 


214 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


as they all laughed at the expression of his face. 

“Where’s the signed permit?” asked Mrs. 
Talmage. 

“In my coat pocket ! Want to see it?” laughed 
Uncle Ben. 

“Ha! I thought so! You’re what Dot would 
call a ‘conniver’ !” laughed Mr. Starr. 

“But you did not expect me to propose a picnic 
that I knew would be hailed with such approval 
from the Blue Birds and Bobolinks, and not be 
prepared to fulfill my plans?” ventured Uncle 
Ben, taking the precious envelope from his pocket 
and giving it to Ned to pass around. 

Many ideas for the picnic and many letters 
were written that night, and in the morning the 
Blue Birds and Bobolinks were overjoyed to read 
an account of the new venture for the help of 
Little Citizens in most of the morning papers. 
Requests were made for donations of money, 
bags of popcorn, peanuts, eggs, and workers who 
would assist at coloring the eggs for the great 
picnic. Each article wound up by asking the read- 
ers to watch the evening papers and morning 
columns for reports on the movement. 

In the evening papers the address of the com- 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 215 

mittee was given, where donations could be sent 
for the National Picnic. 

In the following morning’s papers it was an- 
nounced that the Interborough Company had 
offered to carry free on its subway trains run- 
ning from Brooklyn to the Bronx, all passengers 
who presented a little ticket, egg-shaped and 
printed, to say that the bearer was a Little Citizen 
bound for the National Picnic. 

Also, it was found that some of the large taxi- 
cab companies had offered to take cripples or sick 
children who would be permitted to attend the 
picnic from their homes or hospitals to the Park, 
if orders were left the day before with names and 
addresses of the Little Citizens. 

“My ! But this is getting to be great !” sighed 
Don. 

“Oh, I do hope it will be warm and dry and 
clear on Easter Monday!” cried Dot. 

“We must pray and pray for good weather, 
for this is a Golden Rule picnic, you see, and God 
will surely smile upon the work. Then if He 
smiles it will be sunny and fine!” said little Betty, 
reverently. 

“Let’s all pray every time we remember the 


21 6 THE BLUE BIRDS 1 UNCLE BEN 


plan. We ought to pray all the time for our 
Little Citizens 1 camp at Happy Hills, 'cause that 
is the only way we will ever manage to get that 
work accomplished," added Ruth, seriously. 

“Goodness, Ruth, what would become of our 
school lessons if we had to pray all the time for 
Little Citizens!" asked Dot. 

“Oh, I don't mean you will have to kneel down 
or even shut your eyes for a long time — I mean 
just to whisper to God so no one else can hear 
you, that you need help for Little Citizens at 
Happy Hills. You remember what the dear 
Lord said, to tell our Father in secret, and the 
Father who hears in secret will answer our pray- 
ers. That's what I mean — to whisper to Him 
whenever we happen to remember Little Citi- 
zens," explained Ruth. 

“I really think Ruth has explained in simple 
terms what many a theologian tries to write about 
or preach to others," commented Uncle Ben, in 
a low tone to the Grownups. 

Easter Sunday dawned so bright and warm 
that it was impossible to think that rain or cold 
had ever happened during the past months, of 
winter. The promise for a fine warm Easter 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 217 

Monday was very encouraging, and many a child 
felt happy in the anticipation of the wonderful 
picnic. 

The Sunday papers gave much space to the 
National Picnic, as it came to be called, and re- 
ports of all the things done and doing were given 
in full, for all readers seemed tremendously inter- 
ested. 

One paper gave the following report: 

“On Good Friday, the day the public school 
children had set aside for the donating of one egg 
each to the fund of the Easter Monday Egg Roll- 
ing, the welfare workers who had offered to 
count and pack the eggs in the boxes presented by 
the Folding Box Company, found it necessary to 
ask the assistance of some of the older scholars 
and high school pupils, as so many eggs had been 
received. Some of the school children brought 
a dozen each and many of them donated half a 
dozen each. It is found that not only will there 
be plenty to distribute, by giving four in each 
basket, but there will be plenty to send about in 
the small baskets on Saturday night, so that all 
Little Citizens who cannot be present at the picnic 
will have their Easter eggs at home. Many of 


2 1 8 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


the baskets will go to Homes and Institutions/’ 

Another paper told all about the coloring of 
the eggs. 

“It is fortunate that an Uncle Ben stands 
sponsor for the children who are issuing a maga- 
zine of their very own and doing the work on it 
in their own publishing house at Oakdale. For 
this Uncle Ben, well known to the publishing men 
of this city, is as much a child as any of his many 
nieces and nephews. It was his idea to tread in 
the footsteps of Washington and give the city 
children of New York an Easter Egg Picnic. 

“Through the untiring labors of Uncle Ben 
and his Blue Bird and Bobolink Company, all the 
eggs have been donated and were taken to the 
many dye-shops in the city, where the bright- 
hued vats of dye were waiting to color the eggs. 
Many of the largest companies offered to do the 
work free of cost for the philanthropy, while the 
smaller shops charged a nominal fee for the cost 
of time to pay the help. In this manner all of 
the eggs were dyed in beautiful colors.” 

Another Sunday paper made a fine story of the 
work done in the kindergartens and at meetings 
for the Little Citizens. When the first article 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 219 

appeared for the plan, there were offers of help 
from the most unexpected sources. Thus, it 
happened that the question of baskets was soon 
disposed of, for every child in a kindergarten 
school was given raffia or grass and started weav- 
ing a basket for eggs. Then it was decided to 
send in all the baskets made in the public schools 
to one great headquarters at the Bronx Park 
Buildings and place the eggs in them. Each 
child, on Easter Monday, would then be given a 
basket of eggs, regardless of who did the weav- 
ing. 

Besides these baskets, some kind-hearted lady 
bought up the entire stock of a wholesale house, 
so that many great-gross of lovely baskets were 
delivered at the store-rooms. 

A millionaire, whose country estate located in 
Virginia bordered on the vast plantations of 
peanut growers, sent up a hundred bags of Vir- 
ginia peanuts with orders to have them roasted 
on time and delivered at the store-rooms of the 
Bronx. Such a large donation was found to 
supply all of the peanuts needed, and the paper 
bags to hold the nuts were purchased at cost of 
manufacture from the fund on hand. 


220 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


The paper-bag manufacturer told Uncle Ben 
that he would have given the bags gladly, but 
the cost of paper stock on account of the war 
was so high that a quantity such as would be 
needed for the Little Citizens would use up all 
of his surplus stock. But he was eager and will- 
ing to supply the paper at actual cost, so that he 
made no profit, and the children really benefited. 

The greater part of the Saturday before Easter 
found children everywhere popping the corn for 
the sugared popcorn. It was a noticeable fea- 
ture of this picnic that everyone, rich and poor, 
took a personal interest in the success of the plan, 
and wherever it was possible, the children did 
what they could to help along the picnic, so that 
the popcorn was popped and given by the school- 
children just as the eggs were donated and the 
baskets woven. 

Then dawned Easter Monday! 

What a glorious day it was! The sun was 
dazzling, the air so warm and balmy that one 
was tempted to believe it must be the first of 
June. The grass was green and the buds fairly 
burst to open their lovely petals to the sun. The 
Park looked most inviting and the Grownups of 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 221 


the committee, with Uncle Ben, were at the stock- 
room early in the day to see that the last few 
things were attended to properly. 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks arrived in the 
city on one of the first trains of the morning, 
and the ladies escorted the Band to the section 
of the Park which was to be given over to the 
egg rollers. 

My, but that was a wonderful sight! 

Thousands of children, each with a basket of 
eggs and a spoon, happily enjoying the warm sun- 
shine and fresh air! Little Citizens of all sizes, 
ages and color, laughing, singing, running and 
playing in the wide expanse of the public park! 
Many a kodak snapped the pictures ; several mo- 
tion picture companies took reels and reels of the 
scene, while the press sent its photographers to 
get pictures for the newspapers. 

Some generous man ordered a number of city 
bands to the park and the martial and patriotic 
music made little feet hop and skip over the 
ground. Even Grownups smiled and kept time 
to the music. 

When the game of rolling Easter eggs became 
tiresome, there were other things to do. After 


222 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


two hours of wholesome fun, the Bands sum- 
moned the Little Citizens, and they all fell in 
line, each company commanded by a Boy Scout 
who kept order. All companies were so ordered 
that divisions marched past the commissary 
house, led by a brass band. 

An American flag was flying from a pole over 
the house where the popcorn and peanuts were 
to be given out, and at the single shot of a gun, 
the flag would be partially lowered as a signal. 
At the shot and the signal, all the bands were to 
start in unison to play ‘'March, march, march, 
march,” the grand marching song by Farwell. 
Any child who knew it was asked to sing as they 
marched past the house where scores of busy 
hands distributed the bags of peanuts and pop- 
corn. 

As it turned out, this march was the most im- 
pressive scene of all. Many children knew the 
air and some knew the words. As the music was 
so inspiring and catchy, even those who had never 
heard of it before were soon humming as they 
marched. There were no lagging footsteps, for 
the bands kept up the time and all the Little 


LITTLE CITIZENS’ EASTER PARTY 223 


Citizens were eager to march and secure their 
bags. 

That night, as Uncle Ben treated the Blue 
Birds and Bobolinks to dinner at a fine big hotel 
in the city, Ruth sighed, “Oh, it was a wonderful 
day, but there was just one disappointment !” 

Her voice was so mournful and the words so 
dramatic that Uncle Ben asked, “And what 
could that be?” 

“No Flutey to see it all !” said Ruth. 

“Ah, but fancy her delight when she reads the 
papers and sees all of the wonderful pictures of 
what we did for her Little Citizens !” said Uncle 
Ben. 


CHAPTER XI 


BILLY MARCHANT — UTTEE CITIZEN 

Fortunately, the Easter vacation gave the Blue 
Birds and Bobolinks an opportunity to sleep late 
the morning following the Easter Picnic in New 
York or there would have been a number of 
sleepy heads nodding over their school-books that 
day. 

On Tuesday evening, after the picnic, Uncle 
Ben came to Oakdale carrying a huge bundle of 
newspapers. He said the children could look 
through them and cut out the articles mention- 
ing the successful National Party in the Bronx. 

There were so many papers and so many 
stories that it took the Blue Birds the greater 
part of Wednesday to clip them, while the Bobo- 
links were busy trimming and pasting the clip- 
pings in a scrap book provided by Uncle Ben. 

All of the papers declared the plan to be a good 
one that ought to be repeated each year, and 

224 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 225 

every paper had some story to tell of a Little 
Citizen. These tales of how the children sacri- 
ficed to go to the picnic made fine heart-interest 
for the larger work at Happy Hills. 

One of the stories sounded improbable, but it 
was true, as the children soon learned from Uncle 
Ben. 

“A little boy named Joe was given a ticket to 
the Easter Picnic, but he had to work every day, 
including Sundays, so he could not leave his work 
long enough to see the fun in Bronx Park. 

“Friday morning — Good Friday — he was sent 
to carry to the retailer’s a huge bundle of ready- 
made clothes from the sweatshop in which he 
worked. Here, on the East Side of the city, 
stooped a score of bearded, tired-looking men, 
over machines, or squatted upon benches — stitch- 
ing, trimming, and pressing men’s garments. 
The steam from the pressing, the foul air arising 
from so many men crowded in so small a room, 
the lack of sunlight and insufficient windows, 
made the place intolerable. Still it was not as 
dreadful as the many homes where the garments 
were sent to be worked upon. Sometimes, in one 
small room, three or four were compelled to sew, 


226 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


press, and finish these heavy woolen clothes, 
while washing hung over a stove, crying babies 
crawled over the floor, and sick mothers were 
compelled to stitch, stitch, stitch, as if salvation 
depended upon their work. 

“Well, Joe had had no breakfast this fine Fri- 
day morning, and he dragged his weary feet over 
the sidewalk while trying to balance the mass of 
clothing upon his shoulder. He was not more 
than nine years old, yet he had the face and 
precocity of twenty. 

“Finally, reaching a corner where he could se- 
lect either of two streets to reach his destination, 
he decided to choose the street where private 
residences adorned both sides of the street. Joe 
seldom went by this street as it made him too 
envious of the welfare of other children whom 
he saw playing in the small green enclosures of 
front yards. But to-day, with the ticket in his 
shirt, he felt as if he must see some of the 
pleasure to be had by other children on Easter 
Monday. 

“He reached the middle of the block, and 
leaned the heavy burden against a lamp-post that 
stood in front of one of the handsomest houses 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 227 

on the block. He was too tired to look at the 
house or even glance about to see if he were 
seen by others, but remembering the precious 
ticket, he slid the mass of clothing down to the 
ground and fumbled for the pastboard. He drew 
forth a dirty rag and eagerly untied the knots 
that bound something safely inside. Taking a 
crust of bread from this refuge, Joe hastily 
munched it and then tenderly took out the ticket. 

“He failed to notice that a boy of his own age 
was curiously watching him from the window of 
the grand house, with his nose flattened against 
the plate glass. 

“This little boy was the only son of Mr. 
Marchant, the Wall Street Magnate. His home 
was one of joy and love. His clothes — this 
morning he wore a jaunty blue velvet suit with 
a wide silk scarf knotted about his neck — were 
always the best and finest, his teachers most con- 
siderate and kind, and everything his heart 
wished for was given him as long as it was not 
harmful. 

“Little Billy Marchant had never known the 
pangs of hunger or the weariness of the body, 
such as Joe endured daily. He did not dream 


228 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


there were such awful things in his beautiful city 
as he now saw from the window of his lovely 
home. But he saw, with his own eyes, the greed 
with which this thin little boy ate the crust and 
he wondered what it could be that the boy was 
smiling at so lovingly. He determined to find 
out. 

“No one was in the room, and no one saw him 
open the massive front door and creep out. He 
left the door ajar and quietly opened the outer 
doors. Then he hurried down the brownstone 
steps and ran over to Joe. 

“ 'Good-morning, little boy — my name’s Billy 
Marchant, what’s yours?’ asked Billy in a 
friendly tone. 

“Joe looked at Billy in a dull, stupid way, al- 
though he was not at all stupid. Then he looked 
up at the house and the open front doors. 

“ 'Why do you wanta know?’ asked Joe, sus- 
piciously. 

" 'I was wishing I knew what that thing was 
that you held so close in your hands,’ replied 
Billy. 

“Instantly Joe took alarm and hurriedly 
wrapped the ticket up and tried to thrust it back 


BILLY MARCHANX— LIXTLE CITIZEN 229 

inside of his shirt. He glowered at Billy, but 
only saw a friendly smile and an encouraging 
look. 

“ ‘It’s nawthin’ but a ticket to a picnic!’ ex- 
plained he* 

“ ‘A picnic ! In the winter ?’ cried Billy, scepti- 
cally. 

“ ‘Yep. Up in Bronx Park on Easter Monday. 
Some Blue Birds and Bobolinks are going to give 
the Little Citizens a rousin’ good time, an’ I 
gotta ticket, but I have to work an’ can’t go — 
unless I quit my job and take chances !’ said Joe, 
now all enthusiasm because of the subject. 

“But Billy had never heard of Blue Birds or 
Bobolinks, nor of Little Citizens, so he thought 
Joe was delirious because he was so hungry. 
Hence, he planned instant relief. 

“ ‘Will you come into my house and have a nice 
breakfast with me?’ asked he. 

“Joe looked amazed and shook his head. 

“ ‘Come on in, I want to talk with you and hear 
about Easter Monday. You can send that bundle 
by our butler/ generously offered Billy, never 
dreaming that the butler would have felt so in- 


2 3 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


suited at being asked to carry the great bundle 
that he would have served notice instantly. 

“But Joe was wise. He smiled tolerantly at 
the little inexperienced lad and said, 'Nah, I 
coulden’ come in that fine place — jus’ look at me! 
Yer mother would have fits if she foun’ me eatin’ 
in your dinin’ room wid a “stiff” standin’ back 
of my chair waitin’ t’ han’ me a finger-bowl!’ 

“And Joe bent double while laughing wildly at 
the funny picture he had given. Joe had seen 
grand folks dining at hotels, while he stood over 
the escape-ventilators where steam from the 
kitchen regions warmed many a shivering street 
urchin in cold weather. 

“Billy was bright enough to grasp the situation 
and he hurriedly jammed his hand into his pocket 
and took out a crisp new dollar bill his father had 
given him that morning when the boy slid down 
the hand-rail of the great front stairway to kiss 
his father good-bye. 

“ 'Well, take this, anyway, and get a nice 
breakfast. And now, tell me where this picnic 
is to be — I want to get a ticket and go.’ 

“Joe looked enviously at the dollar, for it repre- 
sented a whole week’s wages and with it he could 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 231 

hire a boy to take his place on Monday, but he 
was an honorable little chap and he said: 'I 
haven’t earned it, and I can’t sell you anythin’ 
and I can’t take it fer charity ’cause there air so 
many others who need it more’n I do. I wish I 
could sell you somethin’ !’ 

“ 'What’s in the bundle ?’ asked Billy eagerly. 

" 'Clothes, clothes, clothes ! Oh, I git so sick 
of seein’ clothes all the time, that I wish folks 
never hed to wear ’em !’ 

"Billy laughed, for he had never heard so many 
amusing things in his life. Then, as he looked 
at the bundle and then at Joe’s ragged make-shift 
for clothing, he said kindly, 'But you don’t seem 
to have many yourself, for all the clothes in the 
bundle !’ 

" 'Humph ! Yeh didn’ think I’d wear my only 
decent ones to work in, did yeh? I hev to save 
’em fer cases like this picnic where a feller has 
t’ look clean and decent to git a look at the fun !’ 

"Even as Joe spoke, Billy thought of a plan. 

" 'Say, Joe, why couldn’t you sell me these 
clothes of yours. I’ll pay you five dollars for 
them and you can wear your good ones until you 
can buy another suit. I don’t know how much 


232 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


boys’ clothes cost but maybe you could get some 
for five dollars. If you can’t do it, I will give 
you as much for this suit as it will cost you to 
buy another new suit.” 

“Joe looked at Billy, doubting his own hear- 
ing. What was this boy after, anyway! 

“ 'What’s yer game?’ growled Joe. 

“ 'Game ! Why, I want to go to your picnic 
with you and I can’t go in these, can I?’ and 
Billy glanced disdainfully at his fine velvet suit. 

“ 'Nah — I guess not ! They’d know yeh wasn’t 
a Little Citizen.’ 

“'That’s just it! But if I have a suit like 
yours and if you tell me where to get a ticket, 
I can get in with you. Maybe you will call for 
me, or meet me at the corner on Monday?’ said 
Billy, anxiously. 

“Joe thought seriously over this proposition. 

“ 'Say, where’d you git all the coin to pay me ?’ 
asked he, severely, wondering if the boy would 
take it from his mother’s pocket-book. 

“ 'Ho ! I’ve got a bank in my room that I fill 
up every week with nickels and dimes and that is 
my spending money. Then, besides that, Dad 
gives me an allowance each month that I can use 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 233 


for anything I like. Sometimes I put it in the 
bank and sometimes I buy what I want most. I 
just spent some of it for Easter presents for my 
friends, but I have enough left to pay for the 
suit of clothes/ 

'‘Thus reassured as to the legality of the pay- 
ment, Joe thought again. 

“ ‘Fer the life of me, I can't see that it would 
be doin’ anything the cops could pinch me fer!’ 
sighed he. 

“Billy had never heard such terms before, but 
boy-like he comprehended at once just what Joe 
meant, and he hastily assured him that he, Joe, 
was not responsible for anything that he, Billy, 
decided to do. If Joe refused to sell the clothes 
to him, then he would buy a suit of someone 
else. 

“That determination settled any doubt in Joe’s 
mind, and he agreed to sell Billy the rags he had 
on for five dollars. But how to deliver them ! 

“ ‘I know,’ declared Billy, eagerly. ‘On Mon- 
day morning I will meet you at the corner down 
the street and we can go to your house and ex- 
change them.’ 


234 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“ 'My house ! Goodness — do you know where 
I live?’ exclaimed Joe, aghast. 

“ 'Somewhere near your office, I suppose/ re- 
plied innocent Billy. 

“"'My office ! Ha, ha, ha! That’s rich! Why, 
child, I live in a piano-box that’s kept in the cel- 
lar of a tenement house. It holds coal for the 
tenant on the first floor who takes in pressin’ an’ 
has to burn a lot of coal in the stove. I hires a 
corner of it at night an’ she gives me a straw 
mat to put over the chunks to make it softer to 
lay on. She always keeps the cover locked so 
the other tenants won’t steal her coal and so she 
locks me in at night and unlocks me in the 
mornin’.’ 

“Billy was so horrified at the awful story that 
he felt ill and dizzy, but Joe saw the shock his 
words had made and hurriedly changed the sub- 
ject. 

" T kin fix it f er you ! I’ll wear my good 
clothes that I keep in the tailor-shop tool-chest, 
and bring this suit to the corner fer you Sunday 
night. Then you can put it on in your house and 
meet me Monday morning to go to the picnic. 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 235 

But I have t’ have the coin on Sunday night so’s 
t’ hire someone to take my job fer Monday!’ 

“ 'Oh, I’ll give you the money now, if you wait, 
but I can’t get out of the house with your clothes 
on Monday. I will have to meet you somewhere 
and change !’ said Billy. 

“Then Joe thought again and said, T guess we 
kin fix it this way. The boy I am goin’ to hire 
lives wid his family in a tenement downtown. 
I kin tell him that you will pay him ten cents fer 
the use of his flat to change yer clothes and to 
leave yer own suit there fer the day.’ 

“ ‘Ten cents! Why, I’ll pay him a dollar!’ 
cried Billy. 

“Joe looked scornfully at the boy. ‘Say, don’t 
you go an’ show your hand so easy-like! Why, 
the hull town’d be down and grabbin’ yer coin if 
they knew where yeh lived an’ who yeh war.’ 

“Billy saw the wisdom of this astuteness and 
smiled. ‘All right, then — ten cents is the price.’ 

“ ‘An’ don’t yeh go an’ wear these togs neider ! 
Wear the worstest duds yeh kin rake together — 
but I guess yeh hain’t got no real rough-looking 
clothes !’ advised Joe. 

“ ‘I’ll do the best I can to please you — now 


2 36 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


tell me where to get a ticket F said Billy, looking 
fearfully over his shoulder lest he be discovered 
on the walk after such a long time. 

“Joe saw the glance and stooped to shoulder 
his pack. ‘Here, you take this one an’ I’ll git 
another from a pal who can’t git away from the 
factory at allF 

“So Joe hastily thrust the precious ticket in 
Billy’s hands and Billy insisted upon Joe’s taking 
the dollar, for he said the ticket saved him so 
much worry and time that it was well worth 
more than the dollar. 

“Joe felt that the ticket was worth ten times 
that sum, so he accepted the dollar as having been 
honestly earned. Then he repeated the time he 
would meet Billy early Monday morning, and 
started down the street with a vigor and joy he 
had not felt for weeks. Why was it, he kept 
wondering. But Uncle Ben could have told him 
why the whole world looked so beautiful since he 
met the boy who showed such interest in him. 

“Joe completed his plans and everything was 
satisfactory to all concerned. Billy, who never 
before had had such vital secrets, felt as if wheels 
were buzzing inside of him and his parents 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 237 

looked with concern at his untasted food at meal 
times. But he appeared perfectly happy and 
healthy, so they said to each other that it was 
the spring warmth that made everyone feel lan- 
guid. 

“Monday morning, before anyone except the 
cook and kitchen maid were up, Billy crept si- 
lently out of his room at the back of the house 
and tip-toed past the doors of his parents’ rooms. 
His governess had a room on the next floor, and 
no one else would be stirring at that time, he 
knew. So he managed to get to the hall-door 
without being stopped. Here he met a difficulty 
as the butler always barred the doors at night 
after everyone was in, and Billy found it impos- 
sible to draw the heavy steel bar alone. 

“He crept to the entry that led down to the 
basement where he feared the cook and scullery 
maid would meet him and send up to his mother. 
But just as he stood at the stairs listening for an 
opportunity to creep down and steal out of the 
front basement entrance, he heard the jovial milk- 
man shout as he rattled at the iron gate of the 
area. From the sound of the man’s voice, Billy 
judged that the inside door was open for air. 


238 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“He also heard the clicking of the push-button 
as it mechanically opened the iron gate and the 
milkman scuffled down the basement hallway to 
the kitchen at the rear. Now was Billy’s chance! 

“He ran downstairs, out of the opened door 
and up to the street. Fortunately, the milkman’s 
assistant was in the next house and the horse 
and wagon stood waiting by the curb. No one 
was in sight as Billy rushed down the street and 
breathlessly turned the corner to wait at the 
place decided upon. 

“Joe was already there, and the two boys 
grinned at each other in a friendly way. Joe 
looked Billy over carefully, and mumbled, 
'Ther’re pretty good clothes, but not too swell to 
make Hiney believe you are not a rich man’s 
son!’ 

“Billy felt very humble to think he was a rich 
man’s son and at that moment he would have 
taken strenuous measures to have undone the 
crime of having been born a 'swell.’ 

“ 'Had yer brekfus?’ asked Joe. 

" 'Of course not. I never have mine until nine 
o’clock!’ 

“ 'Gee ! And now it’s onny seven !’ declared 


BILLY MARCHANX— LITTLE CITIZEN 239 

Joe, looking up at the church clock as they walked 
down Broadway. ‘Well, we’ll git some in a place 
I know!’ 

“So Billy was introduced to a ‘Lunch Room/ 
where everyone sat upon a high stool and ate 
upon an oilcloth-covered counter. Thick coffee, 
tasteless rolls, and a substitute for butter cost 
each boy five cents, but Billy enjoyed the novelty 
and excitement of the experience, and ate his 
rolls and drank his coffee with as much relish as 
Joe did. 

“ ‘Say, kid, yer a sport, all right !’ approved 
Joe, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, as Billy and 
he slid off the stools to make room for others 
who were waiting for breakfast. 

“Billy felt so proud at this commendation that 
he would have partaken of still thicker coffee and 
dryer rolls if necessary. 

“Joe took Billy to the two-roomed flat where 
Hiney lived, but Hiney was already at the tailor- 
shop to fill Joe’s place for the day, while his hard- 
working mother agreed to take care of Billy’s 
bundle for the day for ten cents, and permit him 
to use Hiney’s corner back of a calico curtain 
to change his clothes. The good-natured but 


2 4 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


stupid woman wondered why a little boy wished 
to take off clean neat clothes and put on dirty 
ragged ones, but she decided that he had to work 
and feared to soil his best suit. 

“Joe and Billy then hurried to the nearest sub- 
way station where they showed their tickets for 
the Easter Picnic and were permitted to pass 
through without paying a fare. They were soon 
travelling underground. 

“At Bronx Park all was gay and enchanting 
to both boys, as neither Billy nor Joe had ever 
seen or been present at anything like it. 

“The boys were given a basket each, with 
colored eggs and a tin spoon, and had as merry 
a time as anyone that day. They had peanuts 
and popcorn, and a kind lady who saw that they 
had no picnic lunch, shared her generous box of 
lunch with them. So interested was she in these 
two bright boys that she asked them their names 
and addresses, for she said she would try to en- 
roll them on the Little Citizens’ list and see if 
they could have a permit to go to Happy Hills. 

“This pleased Joe immensely and he wished 
he had some address to give the dear lady with 
the kind eyes. But Billy had an idea. He had 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 241 

had his day of fun and knew that it mattered not 
now who knew his true name and address, so he 
said, Til give you my address and Joe’s letters 
can come to my house and he can get them from 
me.’ 

“Joe eagerly agreed to this, and Billy told the 
lady his name and address. But she looked hard 
at the little face in doubt of his telling the truth. 
She knew the street he mentioned and she knew 
the fine houses on that particular block. And she 
knew that no poor Little Citizen ever had a home 
in that section. 

“Still she said nothing and wrote down the 
names and address given her. Soon after this 
the two boys ran away to watch a game of base- 
ball and the lady hurried over to Uncle Ben to 
mention the strange incident. 

“Uncle Ben looked at the name and address 
and exclaimed, Why, I know Marchant well! 
I heard some rumor this morning of his boy’s 
having been kidnapped during the night and no 
clue of him had yet been found. Let us run over 
to this officer and get in touch with the distracted 
parents at once !’ 

“Billy had not thought of the dreadful shock 


242 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

and agony his dear father and mother would feel 
at his disappearance or he would not have done 
what he had so eagerly planned and accomplished 
that Monday. 

“The officer quickly ran to the building where 
a telephone was found and the police head- 
quarters notified. The Sergeant soon got in 
touch with the parents, and they in turn hurried 
out to Bronx Park in their automobile to identify 
their child. 

“Meanwhile, the lady and policeman kept near 
Joe and Billy, quite unknown to the Little 
Citizens, who watched the ball game so eagerly. 
When the officer was beckoned by another to 
quietly bring Billy over to the building where the 
anxious parents waited, the lady went up to Joe 
and his companion and whispered, T want both 
of you to come with me for a moment, while we 
see if you are both good, true Little Citizens 
before enlisting you on our rolls.’ 

“Both boys followed, with no suspicion of the 
truth, until Mr. Marchant saw Billy follow Joe 
through the doorway of the outer office. Mrs. 
Marchant could not contain her joy and she flew 
out and fell upon her knees and hugged Billy 


BILLY MARCHANT— LITTLE CITIZEN 243 

until he was breathless. Joe stood by, scowling 
at the trick he felt had been played upon Billy 
and him. 

“When Billy could gasp, however, he cried, 
'Oh, Daddy, this is my friend Joe. We are both' 
Little Citizens now, and Eve had the best time in 
my whole life! I’m going to Happy Hills with 
Joe in the summer — this lady said we might!’ 

“Then the whole story was told and it was soon 
seen that Billy was the only culprit in the plot, 
for Joe was an innocent victim of Billy’s wiles. 
Even Billy had not thought of the trouble his 
disappearance for one day’s enjoyment would 
make, and he wondered and wondered why the 
policemen smiled at the way he introduced his 
best boy friend and told the interested circle how 
he got out of the basement door that morning 
and where he ate breakfast. 

“That was Joe’s lucky day, for Mr. Marchant 
elected himself Joe’s guardian and has agreed to 
send the boy to school at Oakdale, where he will 
board with Mrs. Mason at the Mason farm. In 
thanksgiving for Billy’s safe return, the million- 
aire has given a donation of five thousand dollars 
to Little Citizens’ work at Happy Hills. He also 


244 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


told Uncle Ben that he wished to become a mem- 
ber of the League and to have Billy work with 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks in their wonderful 
plan. 

“Mrs. Marchant also joined the League of 
Grownups and donated a thousand dollars of her 
own to be used in the furthering of Aunt Selina’s 
plan for Little Citizens at Happy Hills. 

“Billy and Joe were taken by Uncle Ben and 
introduced to the Blue Birds and Bobolinks, who 
were delighted to hear that Joe would be a mem- 
ber of Mrs. Mason’s family and become a worker 
at the Publishing House with the Bobolinks. 

“And Billy insisted upon being sent all par- 
ticulars of how to start a Band of his own for 
Little Citizens’^yrork in the city, and thus began 
the work of expansion.” 


CHAPTER XII 


other stories oe EITTEE CITIZENS 

The press story of the millionaire’s son Billy 
was so interesting that it read more like fiction 
than fact, and every paper copied it in full as it 
made splendid reading in connection with the 
Easter Monday Picnic at the Bronx. Then sub- 
urban papers copied the story and soon the news 
of the movement was advertising the Cause of 
Little Citizens in a marvelous manner. 

Ned, who had read aloud the story of Joe and 
Billy, said he wished something like that could 
occur every week as it would be the greatest spur 
possible to have folks help send poor and sick 
children to Happy Hills that summer. 

Then Jinks found a short story of a Little 
Citizen, on an inside page of a paper, and he 
ofifered to read it to the others. It was named 
“Mr. Richards Finds a Heroine.” 


245 


2 46 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“Little Maggie Owens is only ten years old, 
but she already has the responsibilities of a 
mother of seven children, all younger than her- 
self, for Maggie is Little Mother to her orphaned 
sisters and brothers. 

“Jimmy Owens is nine and helps support the 
family with his weekly salary of two dollars, 
earned by being a quick, willing messenger boy 
for the Telegraph Company. He looks two years 
older and so he can pass for an age that will 
permit him to sign up with the company. 

“May Owens is eight and has a newspaper 
route where she earns enough each day to be a 
valuable financial member of the young family. 

“Next comes Frankie Owens, six and a half, 
and too helpless from infantile paralysis to do 
anything but groan. 

“The other children range from Frankie down 
to the baby, who is just past the first year’s birth- 
day. Not that birthdays are celebrated or kept 
track of in this busy, buzzing hive of children, 
but it is mentioned as an item for consideration. 

“Maggie manages the entire household and 
home, consisting of the aforesaid members and 
a home of one room on the fifth floor of a filthy 


OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 247 

tenement house on Rivington Street on the East 
Side, where rents are cheap and where the agents 
collect every week in advance, thus sparing ten- 
ants the trouble of hoarding the money for their 
rent, or risking it being stolen from the crevice 
in the walls where it is generally hidden. 

“Maggie says the top floor has advantages as 
well as its disadvantages. For instance, it is 
cheaper. The higher one climbs the less one has 
to pay for rent. But the water never tries to 
climb up in the pipes which run to the top floor, 
and when the wage-earners are weary at night, 
the fourth and fifth flights seem back-breaking. 

“A second advantage is the better light and 
air the children get on the top floor, but the roof 
makes it fearfully hot in summer when the sun 
bakes down upon the tar or tin all day long. 

“Another advantage is the playground the roof 
gives the babies while Maggie has to cook or 
clean the room, or go out to work at the bake- 
shop on the corner, or run errands for the gro- 
cery man at the other corner. But the children 
so often will hang over the open shafts of the 
building or run recklessly about while playing 
with each other, often stumbling over obstruc- 


248 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


tions and all but hurtling over the very low para- 
pet that runs about the three sides of the roof. 
The fourth side is not enclosed, as it slopes down 
at the back and has fire-escapes and piles of 
debris piled up there. 

“Again, on a hot breathless night, it is better 
to take the mats on the roof and sleep where a 
slight breeze blows over in the early dawn, than 
it is to scorch and swelter in the small air-tight 
room underneath. Even though Jimmy does 
walk in his sleep, it is better thus, than to have 
him lie awake all night in the hot room. He has 
to work all day and needs his rest at night. 

“Our Mr. Richards heard this matter-of-fact 
little girl tell about her family and home and 
determined to enroll the entire family on the list 
of Little Citizens with a bid for a summer at 
Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight. 

“Said he as a starter for the news: 'Maggie, 
have you ever been in the country?’ 

“Maggie looked mildly scornful, as she said, 
'Country ! Why, Mister, ain’t you crazy ?’ 

“Mr. Richards felt rebuked, but persisted, 'I 
mean, do you and the children ever have time or 
money to take an outing, or visit the parks?’ 


OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 249 

“Maggie again looked patiently bored as she 
said, ‘If it warn’t that the lady downstairs prom- 
ised to give the kids their bread and skim-milk 
this noon, I wouldn’t never have known there 
war such a wonderful place as this for folks to 
play on/ 

“Mr. Richards felt silenced for a moment. 
Then he determined to plunge right in the idea 
he had in mind. 

“ ‘Maggie, how would you like to move your 
whole family out to the green fields for a sum- 
mer? You could have a little house all for your- 
self, where six of the children could sleep and 
live and you would be the Guide and have the 
seventh bed to sleep in. You would have to show 
Jimmy and May how to help you take care of 
dressing the children and how to wash their 
faces and brush their hair, and that would be all 
you would have to do for many fine, grand 
weeks/ 

“Maggie glanced out of the corner of her eye 
with the natural suspicion of all that class of 
children showing plainly. ‘What are you plan- 
nin’ to do wid us? Make us sneak-thieves like 
the man what tried to git Jimmy?’ 


250 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“ 'No, Maggie, I belong to this big company 
who are going to make everything for poor chil- 
dren very different than it ever was before. A 
nice old lady has a big, big country park, much 
bigger than this Bronx, and she is building little 
houses for all such families as you have, to 
live in free all summer. We call the houses 
“Nests” and the children are Little Citizens, but 
you will see when you get there. I will take you 
over to meet the Blue Bird girls and the Bobo- 
link boys and the mothers who are working on 
the ways to make Little Citizens happy, and you 
will see that I am honest and willing to help you 
move to Happy Hills/ 

'"Where’d we git the money to move wid?’ 
asked Maggie. 

“'Have you much furniture to move?’ asked 
Mr. Richards, quite sure she had nothing that 
would not be sent to the rubbish heap if the 
Board of Health knew the facts. 

“ 'We got some bed-mats, an’ a table that leans 
agin the wall ’cause two legs air gone, an’ some 
boxes covered wid nice carpet — at least, it was 
nice long ago when Mrs. Maxon had it. She 
troo it away and Jimmy fished it outen the ash- 


OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 2 5 1 

can. Then we got dishes — Oh, we got a blue 
chiny cup an’ a yeller tater dish that is fine! 
The odders ain’t much good, but we kin use ’em 
all right!’ 

“ 'Well, the best thing would be to sell out your 
flat to someone cheap, and take the family and 
move to the country where everything is ready 
furnished.’ Mr. Richards spoke in the way he 
knew she would understand best. 

" 'Show me the ladies you said you knew !’ said 
Maggie, with unexpected caution and wisdom for 
her years. 

'‘Mr. Richards was deeply impressed and 
thought to himself that if every child were as 
precautious and wise as Maggie there would be 
no crime forced upon little ones, who, in their 
innocence, were taught to become criminals. 

"Maggie was escorted at once to Mrs. Talmage 
and the other ladies who were in charge of the 
multitude of Little Citizens, and Maggie felt re- 
assured when she saw the smiles and felt the 
kind hands that patted her rough shock of red 
hair. 

"The young man who introduced her ex- 
plained the family history as Maggie knew it, 


252 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


and the group of ladies seemed ready to cry. 
Why wondered Maggie. Wasn’t she and her 
other brothers and sisters having the time of 
their life in this park? 

“Then one lady spoke: 'Mr. Richards, some- 
thing ought to be done at once and not delay this 
matter until Happy Hills is ready.’ 

“ 'But, my dear Mrs. Talmage, this is only one 
out of so many cases, and we cannot discrim- 
inate. However, I can get in touch with this 
case and keep you posted, and as soon as Miss 
Selina has any place ready we can ship them all 
over to Happy Hills.’ 

“ 'Well, do let us send the invalid to some 
place where he can have proper treatment until 
we can move them to the country,’ added Mrs. 
Catlin. 

“ 'And that gives me another idea, ladies,’ sug- 
gested Mr. Richards. 'We ought to send out the 
proper nurses and help to take charge of all of 
the little ones who were afflicted by the infantile 
plague last summer. We will doubtless find 
scores of victims with the other Little Citizens, 
and they should be given a separate division 
where they may have especial care.’ 


OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 2 53 

“This conversation interested Maggie only so 
far as it might help Frankie so he would cry less. 
She turned to watch other children romp and 
laugh while these Grownups were planning her 
future. 

“ 'Ask our Welfare Mother to visit Maggie and 
see if anything can be done at once to relieve the 
conditions. Then, we will have them moved at 
the first opportunity/ said Mrs. Starr. 

“So, Maggie’s fate was smiled upon and 
thenceforth she was to know what good friends 
the Blue Birds and Bobolinks had «found for her. 

“ 'Our Mr. Richards says he has found a 
purchaser of Maggie’s household possessions 
when she is ready to fly away to the Valley of 
Delight, but we — old sceptical newspaper men — 
firmly believe the junkman will move the trash 
away from the room as soon as Maggie has left. 
But she must not know this for she firmly be- 
lieves that her chattels are worth at least two 
dollars to anybody. And two dollars she will be 
paid for all the rights in her household goods.’ ” 

Jinks enjoyed this story and the children smiled 
at the pathos and at the humorous manner in 


254 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

which it was written. Ned declared that he could 
detect Mr. Richards’ own style in the telling of 
the story, and the others agreed with him. 

After comments had been freely exchanged 
over the story, Ruth sighed, ''Oh, I wish Happy 
Hills were all ready this minute.” 

“Well, I guess we all wish that, but it takes 
time to do so much. I think we ought to mail 
these stories to Flutey, however, and let her see 
how urgent is the need for haste,” said Mrs. 
Talmage from the doorway, having entered 
while Jinks finished reading his story. 

That was a good idea, so they found duplicate 
accounts of the pathetic tales and addressed them 
to Miss Selina. 

Uncle Ben did not come again to Mossy Glen 
all that week, but he arrived early on Saturday 
noon. The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were so glad 
to see him after such a long interval that he 
laughed as they clung about his arms and coat- 
tails. 

“Why, anyone would think I was a long lost 
friend!” 

“Humph! You’re more than that to us — and 
to our Little Citizens!” cried Ned. 



The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were so glad to see him * * * 
that he laughed as they clung about his arms 
and coat-tails . — Page 254. 















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OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 255 

“But tell us, Uncle Ben — where have you been 
all this week? Mother Wings telephoned your 
office the other day to tell you how much we 
needed to see you, and she thought maybe you 
had over-worked yourself that Easter Monday 
and needed someone to nurse you,” said Ruth. 

“Ha, ha! Uncle Ben never gets tired or sick! 
But now that I am here, I will confess to you 
all. I ran away!” said he. 

The children looked amazed and the Grown- 
ups smiled. 

“Yes, sire-ee! I ran so far away from New 
York that I forgot there ever was a place where 
children rented piano-boxes filled with coal to 
sleep in, or where little girls of ten had to bring 
up a family of seven on almost nothing. I ran 
to a lovely green woodland, where a brook filled 
a shallow lake that almost tempted me to pull ofif 
my shoes and stockings and paddle about after 
a little boat of bark that I sent sailing over the 
water.” 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were beginning 
to realize what Uncle Ben meant and where he 
had been so no one breathed or moved lest he 
be interrupted in his story. 


256 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“I ran all about those woods and laughed with 
the early robins who were busy pulling fat worms 
out of the soft earth. I sat and told some things 
that were bothering me, to some red squirrels 
who hopped about me in their eagerness to offer 
all the help they could. 

“Then, I ran to the hill where I found a crowd 
of carpenters sawing and hammering at a long, 
long building which they told me was to be a 
refectory. 

“After this, I ran to another hill near by, 
where another long, long building was being 
erected and the boss of this work told me it 
was to be a sort of hospital for the sick and 
cripples. That news almost took the rest of my 
breath so that I had to sit down before I could 
run another step.” 

Uncle Ben waited here and looked about at the 
smiling eager faces of the group close about 
him, and he laughed happily as he winked at 
Mrs. Talmage. 

“I’m sure they all know how far I ran?” 
laughed he. 

“Yes, yes — of course we do, but go on and 
don’t sit under that tree so long to get your 


OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 257 


breath !” shouted Dot Starr eagerly, making 
everyone laugh at her words. 

“Well, now that I feel rested again, I will 
run along,” replied Uncle Ben. 

“While I rested under that tree Dot just men- 
tioned, I saw something that was most interest- 
ing to me, so I ran over to a number of little 
knolls that looked like baby hills cuddling under 
the other hills where the refectory and infirmary 
stood. Here I found that each little knoll had a 
Nest for Little Citizens upon it, while in the little 
valleys between the knolls stood other Nests of 
the same size and plan. 

“I found the Nests all ready for tenants, ex- 
cepting the electric wires which had not as yet 
been installed. But otherwise, a family of seven 
little children could move in any day, providing 
they were not too particular about meals and 
manners. 

“I found the water-proof canvas curtains all 
up and working in fine order, and the bunks and 
lockers all ready for bedding and clothes. But the 
mattresses and bed-clothes were all packed in 
great cases waiting at. the barns for the lights to 


258 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

be finished in each Nest and the occupants’ pres- 
ence to need the beds. 

“Next, I spied some fields where things looked 
as though being laid out for a checker-board. A 
large building near this vast expanse of meadow 
and field roused my curiosity and I ran over to 
ask the farmers what they were doing. 

“I was told that they were laying out small 
section farms for Little Citizens and that the 
new large building near there was the place in 
which all tools and seeds were kept, and where 
the Little Citizens would meet to hear talks on 
agriculture and where all kinds of modern ideas 
were pictured or shown by models. In the rooms 
on the second floor, the farmers and teachers 
who had charge of this department would lodge. 

“By this time, I was so excited that I forgot 
about my breath and ran quickly over the wood- 
land. After a long run, I came to a nice old- 
fashioned house where a lady lived, who was 
doing all of this wonderful plan for Little 
Citizens. 

“When I ran in at the open door I found I 
knew the lady for she happened to be a friend 
of some Blue Birds and Bobolinks I knew at Oak- 


OTHER STORIES OF LITTLE CITIZENS 259 

dale. The lady's right name is Aunt Selina, but 
we all, as well as the Little Citizens, shall hence- 
forth know her as Flutey, the Mother Wings of 
Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight. 

“I heard that she had received newspaper 
clippings of an Easter Monday Picnic at a New 
York Park, and she was so glad and happy at 
all she knew she could do to help Little Citizens, 
that she cried about the joy she felt. 

“When she told me that some of the children 
could be brought out to the Nests week after 
next, I too felt so happy and glad that I sat and 
cried with her.” 

As Uncle Ben's voice trembled with deep feel- 
ing at the last words, he looked about at the 
group and found that they all showed suspicious 
moisture in their eyes. 

“Well, well! I do believe we are all a big lot 
of cry-babies together! Here, Mother Wings, 
give us each a stick of candy to pacify us!” 
Uncle Ben spoke in such a cheery tone, at the 
same time pointing to a large box of bon-bons 
that stood upon a table near the door, that every- 
one laughed and tears turned to hopes of what 
that box held for them. 


CHAPTER XIII 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 

April passed too quickly for the publishing 
company, for with its passing they realized that 
the May magazine must be made up and printed 
Then too, the spring was so inviting, and marbles 
and hoops were much more entertaining than 
cases of inky type or the sound of a printing 
press. 

Said Ned to the company one day, “This is 
just what Uncle Ben meant when he said that if 
we went into this magazine business we must 
keep it up in spite of all enticements. So far, 
we have not cared for other sports as we had 
winter weather that was not so agreeable and 
the New York treats made us all feel like lords 
and ladies. Now that all this is over, and the 
Little Citizens are on the highroad to going to 
Happy Hills for the summer, we have to stop 
and think before we spend the time after school 

260 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 261 

playing a match game of baseball or going fish- 
ing.” 

The company thought seriously over Ned’s 
statement, then Don Starr demurred. 

“That’s all right, but you see, a fellow just 
has to go somewhere or he’ll grow to be a back 
number !” 

“You haven’t shown any signs of it yet, and 
we have been sticking pretty close to our busi- 
ness since last fall,” argued his older brother 
Mete. 

“Nothing else to do, as Ned said, but now that 
things in the village and all over, are livening up 
a bit, I can’t sit down in a barn and vegetate!” 
declared Don, defiantly, for he had gone fishing 
with his chums last Saturday and he preferred 
fun to the humdrum things to be done for a May 
issue of the magazine. 

“I wish Uncle Ben could hear you say that!” 
declared Dot. 

“Who wants Uncle Ben? Here he is just when 
he’s needed!” cried a cheery voice at the door 
of the barn. 

“Why, Don Starr is calling our offices a plain 
old barn, now, but he used to quarrel with any- 


262 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


one who called it that this winter,” complained 
Dot. 

“And he just said that he’d rather go fishing 
than make up a magazine !” added Ruth. 

Don seemed crestfallen the moment he found 
that Uncle Ben was at hand, but he made no 
protest. 

“Ha! I know what ails Don! He has the 
hookworm! I know lots of boys — and men too 
— who get the hookworm in the spring of the 
year when frogs croak for us to come and swim, 
and nice plump trout flash through the water, 
whisking their tails at us, who sit on the bank 
and wish we had a rod and line,” said Uncle Ben, 
sympathetically. 

“Oh, Uncle Ben, you are so silly! That isn’t 
what a hookworm means, at all!” laughed Ned, 
who had read all about the queer malady that 
affected folks living in very warm climates. 

“No? What would you say it was, then?” 
replied Uncle Ben. 

Before Ned could answer, however, Ike came 
to the barn and said, “He’s on the wire now, 
Mr. Talmage.” 

So Uncle Ben ran quickly out of the publish- 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


263 


ing house and into the garage where he remained 
to telephone for a long time. When he finally 
returned to the office, he found the children still 
in a state of dissatisfaction over their magazine 
work. 

“Well, that was a specialist I was talking to 
over the telephone. He thinks just as I do, that 
the hookworm is a state of mind that is hard 
to dose. It comes from too much human inter- 
est in a work and when the interest or excite- 
ment lets up a bit, the victim gets the hookworm 
of ennui. Then is the time to apply drastic 
measures, so he advised me what to do for this 
assemblage. Now, am I to be permitted to pre- 
scribe for you or will you go on entertaining the 
hookworm until the magazine dies a natural 
death for lack of interest of the publishers ?" 

“Oh, Uncle Ben, such a thing will never hap- 
pen !" cried Ruth, shocked. 

“Yes, it will! If this hookworm isn't re- 
moved right now, when its first symptoms are 
appearing in Don's attitude, it will soon spread 
among the others and by the first of July there 
will be no more printing and no more interest 
in this grand work," said Uncle Ben sadly. 


264 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Everyone felt guilty, for had not each one felt 
how much nicer it would be to play out of doors 
than to sit in a barn ? 

“All right, then, I’ll prescribe,” said Uncle Ben 
a few moments after he had spoken, although no 
one had made any reply to his previous state- 
ment. 

“To-morrow morning, at five o’clock — if the 
day is fine — every member of this company must 
be at this office! It needs early rising on a clear 
morning to effectually dose the hookworm.” 

Now, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks knew that 
Uncle Ben was serious in some respects, and that 
he was joking in others. But they could not 
determine when he was in earnest or when he 
was in fun over this affair, so they all promised 
him to be at the barn at five in the morning, hav- 
ing had an early breakfast at home. 

And, at five, on the glorious May day morning, 
all of the young publishers met at the barn where 
Uncle Ben had not yet appeared. 

They had not long to wait, however, for even 
while they were laughing over the idea of cur- 
ing the Blue Birds and Bobolinks of a hook- 
worm that each one was sure was only a “make- 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


265 


believe ill,” a shout was heard out on the road 
in front of the barn, and there sat Uncle Ben 
at the wheel of the Talmage car while Jim steered 
the Starr’s car. 

“Are we going for a ride?” cried Dot, eagerly. 

“We’re all going to get the doctor first, and 
then take you to a country hospital where you 
will be cured. If the severe treatment given you 
to-day does not cure you entirely of the lazy 
disease, then there is no hope, for the hook- 
worm will have made his control too great for 
anything to help you get over it!” sighed Uncle 
Ben, rolling his eyes skyward with a funny ex- 
pression. 

“Who’s your doctor?” called Don, as he 
climbed in the Starr’s automobile. 

“One from the city. You’ll soon see. I tele- 
phoned him last night when I was called from 
your offices, and he agreed to be out from the 
city on the very first train to arrive here this 
morning. We are now going to the station to 
get him.” 

The children did not know just what to make 
of Uncle Ben’s queer idea, but waited patiently 
for results. 


266 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


The train had not yet come in but was due, 
so they waited in the parking section in front 
of the depot and soon heard a shrill whistle 
which announced the incoming mail train. 

Of course every neck was craned to catch a 
glimpse of the doctor, but no professional-look- 
ing man with a bag alighted. Instead, a young 
man with a broad smile ran over and greeted the 
publishers. 

“Well, well ! Here you are — every one of you ! 
Did you manage to get up before breakfast or 
did you refuse to go to bed?” asked Mr. Richards, 
smiling at each and all of them. 

“I wish to introduce my own specialist, friends, 
so, if any of you have met him before this as a 
newspaper man, you will now find out that he is 
a very renowned specialist for the hookworm!” 
declared Uncle Ben, with a very serious voice and 
face. 

Mr. Richards laughed for he hadn’t the faint- 
est idea of the trouble that had come up in the 
publishing company the day before. 

“Where’s his hospital you told us of?” jeered 
Don, thinking it was all a great joke played upon 
them. 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 267 

“ And may we go back to bed when we get 
home? ,, added Ned. 

“I see very plainly that you believe this all 
a joke — well, now just wait and see if we don't 
give you something to-day that will kill every 
thought of laziness where the magazine is con- 
cerned !'' said Uncle Ben, emphatically. 

Then he turned to Mr. Richards and explained 
the trouble and the cure he advocated. As he 
spoke he steered the automobile down the hill 
that led away from Oakdale and the children 
wondered if he knew what he was doing. But 
Mr. Richards seemed to think it was all right, so 
they said nothing about going home again. 

Soon after this explanation Mr. Richards men- 
tioned a very interesting idea which absorbed 
the Blue Birds' attention so much that they failed 
to notice on which road Uncle Ben drove them. 

“Yesterday, a rich lady came down to my of- 
fice to see me about this big summer plan, and 
she said she expected to donate a yearly sum 
of money to insure its success — not only for 
Happy Hills and the City of New York, but 
so that every city could have and maintain a 


268 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


big summer camp just like the one we con- 
structed. 

“Then she gave me a suggestion that sounds 
very good to me. She offered to pay for the 
items needed to try out the plan, and she also 
mentioned the names of some prominent banks 
that she would see and request that they act as 
treasurers for the funds collected until we would 
need them. 

“Her plan is simply this: To place a solid, 
strong barrel in the main-hall of every public 
school with its name on the front — ‘Little 
Citizens’ Contribution Barrel’ — and into this 
barrel which has an opening in the lid on top, 
packages can be dropped by anyone at any time 
while passing by. 

“Toys, tools, clothing, fruit, candy, cakes, and 
whatnot can be deposited into these barrels, and 
whatever is needed by the Country Nests to in- 
sure success for their work, to be first sent to 
them. What is not needed by the Nests, can 
be distributed about the city, taking the city 
in sections so that all parts will be covered regu- 
larly. The Welfare Organization will look after 
the distribution end of it. 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


269 


“These barrels, well-built and safe-guarded 
with a padlock and chain to prevent sneak- 
thieves from entering the school with the inten- 
tion of stealing the barrel or contents, will be 
ordered and paid for by the lady. 

“Then, she thought of placing a little bar- 
rel made something like a bank, but in the shape 
of a barrel, in every public building, large office 
buildings, in hotels, in subways and other rail- 
way stations, and in clubs, schools, Y. M. C. A.’s 
and Y. W. C. A/s, and any other places where 
we think we can collect any money. These bar- 
rels will be inspected periodically and the money 
taken therefrom by a trusty collector belonging 
to the Little Citizens' League. Now, what do 
you think of it all?" 

When Mr. Richards had finished speaking, 
Uncle Ben looked straight ahead of the car as 
if he were seeing something far down the road- 
way. But he said nothing. 

“I think she is a lovely lady!" declared Dot. 

“And it is a bee-autiful idea!" added Betty. 

“But it will take a lot of folks to work it out 
right !" commented careful Ruth. 


2 7 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Yes, that is true!” added Mr. Richards. 
“What have you to say about it, Uncle Ben?” 

“I am not quite prepared to give judgment 
yet, but on the spur of the moment I would 
say, let us go slow and sure! I haven’t a doubt 
but that the idea is fine, and will interest a 
great mass of individuals, but it is just a bit aside 
from this first year’s experiment. We don’t 
need a lot of money or old clothes just now. We 
couldn’t use a million dollars just now to start 
new farms even if we had the money donated 
to-day, for it takes time and much thought to 
start a farm of Nests in the proper place and 
under the right management. It would be a 
physical impossibility to do more than we have 
already done for this season. I am loath to let 
this whole plan slip out of my control by accept- 
ing too many ideas of strangers, for it is the in- 
dividual who handles a plan that makes himself 
felt all through the work. 

“Then, too, it has never been my idea to keep 
on giving the Little Citizens something for noth- 
ing. I have always believed it the highest form 
of charity if you made someone self-supporting. 
So, each Little Citizen at Happy Hills has to 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


271 


work his farm, you know, to raise flowers or 
vegetables for use or for sale. I have some 
ideas to try out this winter for city work that 
I think is much better than this lady’s idea, 
but I do not wish to mention the future until 
we see if Happy Hills will prove the help and 
success we hope for it.” 

Of course everyone knew Uncle Ben was right, 
for he was the real father of the whole wonder- 
ful plan. So Mr. Richards admitted the fact. 

They had been driving very fast during this 
conversation and the Blue Birds wondered where 
Uncle Ben was taking them. Finally Dot Starr 
said, “Aren’t we almost near that hospital?” 

“No, we have about two hours’ more ride, I 
think,” said Uncle Ben. 

“Hours! Gracious, where is it anyway?” 
asked Dot. 

“Away off in the woods where other people 
can’t hear the lazy patient yell and scream when 
the doctor starts to kill the hookworm,” said 
Uncle Ben, seriously, then laughing heartily when 
he caught sight of Dot’s face. 

At his laugh the Blue Birds knew he was fool- 


272 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


in g and that this was really going to be a treat 
for them. 

As they passed through the next small village 
on the road, Ruth seemed to notice familiar 
things about the place. Then, when they passed 
a lovely estate where marble statues stood here 
and there on the smooth lawn, she recognized the 
way. 

“Oh, oh, oh! He’s going to Happy Hills! 
Oh, oh!” and she jumped up and tried to hug 
her uncle rapturously. 

But he laughed and cried, “Wait, wait ! You’ll 
run the car into a tree !” 

Then Dot Starr had to jump up on the seat 
and lean far out over the back and scream to the 
boys in the car behind, “He’s taking us to Happy 
Hills— Happy Hills!” 

But the whirr of the cars made her voice sound 
queer and all the boys could understand was that 
they were going to somewhere on a hill. 

Even the boys became suspicious, however, 
after they had been travelling for miles and 
miles and still the leading car showed no signs 
of turning in at a house or stopping to ask the 
way. They also found out that they were in 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


273 


Pennsylvania, and that was clue enough to tell 
them their destination. 

“Well, we’ll soon be there now, Blue Birds!” 
announced Uncle Ben after they had been travel- 
ling for hours and were growing restless. 

And when they caught sight of the Nests at 
Happy Hills, in the Valley of Delight, they were 
so pleased that they forgot all about their weari- 
ness and the hookworm complaint. 

They stopped at the house where Aunt Selina 
was overjoyed to see them again, and everyone 
had to be hugged and kissed in welcome at her 
home. 

“Oh, Flutey! You look so fine and young I 
would never have known you again !” cried Ruth, 
while all the other children agreed with her. 

“Why, dearies, one just can’t help feeling 
young when so many bright children are about 
to keep everything youthful!” laughed Aunt 
Selina. 

“Well, we need a dose of that same medicine, 
Flutey ! My Publishing Company has been ailing 
recently and I began to notice symptoms of a 
boycott, so I arrested them all and brought them 
over here to see what has resulted from the little 


274 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

work they actually did, and then let them stop 
to consider what would have been the result had 
each one of them said, “Ah ! I don’t want to print 
anything, or bother with a club for Little Citi- 
zens !” 

“And we also want to get the encouragement 
that comes from seeing results like this, which 
will make us feel like going at the job, hammer 
and tongs, when we get back home !” added Mr. 
Richards. 

So, Flutey got into the car with Uncle Ben, 
and soon they were over at the Valley of De- 
light. 

It was still too early in the season to have 
many Little Citizens in the country, for it was 
but May; yet, some of the Nests were occupied 
and the aspect of the entire place was beginning 
to assume an air of life and bustle. 

To the great delight of the Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks, Maggie Owens and her family were 
safely sheltered in a Nest near the main path. 
The different paths that divided the groups of 
Nests were called by pretty floral names, such 
as Daisy Path, Buttercup Path, Marigold Path, 
etc. 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


27 5 


Although the Owens family had not been at 
Happy Hills more than ten days they were show- 
ing the good of fresh air and simple childlike 
life. Jimmy helped the farmers and earned his 
wages as well as they did. Maggie helped the 
cook at the refectory and also earned her wages. 

But the Publishing Company had the greatest 
surprise when Aunt Selina asked Uncle Ben to 
lift the little girl, May Owens, upon the running 
board of one of the cars. She was then re- 
quested to sing for the visitors. 

May was not in the least self-conscious, for her 
newspaper business had made her quite self-reli- 
ant, so she smiled and scuffled her foot for a 
moment while she decided what to sing. 

“Sing the 'aria from Rusticana/ dearie V 9 sug- 
gested Aunt Selina. 

And to the great amazement of everyone who 
heard her for the first time, the child sang with 
a wonderful voice the song she had heard ground 
out of hand-organs on the street or learned in 
snatches from the little Italians about her. She 
could not have told you, to save her life, what the 
words were that she sang, and some' of the accent 
was all wrong, but Aunt Selina only wanted to 


276 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


show what possibilities were dormant in some of 
these Little Citizens. 

M Now sing that 'March, March, March, song 
you like so much,’ said Flutey. 

And May sang the song with a spirit and zeal 
that made the boys beat time unconsciously. 
This she had learned from Maggie and Jimmy 
upon their return home from the Easter Monday 
Picnic at Bronx Park. 

"Aunt Selina, she ought to be trained,” whis- 
pered Uncle Ben. 

"I know it, and I am going to write to my dear 
old Rebecca’s daughter who has a studio in New 
York. I shall invite her out here for a few days 
and let her discover this little star,” said Aunt 
Selina joyously, as she patted May on the head 
and thanked her. 

"Why, do you know, this incident reminds me 
of a story we had in the papers a long time ago 
about Pauline Lucca,” said Mr. Richards in a 
low tone to Aunt Selina and the Blue Birds. 

"When Pauline was a child she was so homely 
and stupid that her schoolmates avoided her and 
the teachers never took any notice of her. 

"The school had singing lessons once a week, 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


277 


but they were charged extra to each child, and 
Pauline was so poor that her mother could not 
pay the small fee, so she was not permitted to 
join the class. She was placed in the back seat 
of the singing class, however, as she could not be 
left all alone in the class-room. Then, the sing- 
ing master allowed her to hold an old book while 
the others sang. 

“When the final day of school came and all 
the parents and friends were present to hear the 
scholars recite, Pauline was there dressed in a 
queer robe made of an old muslin window cur- 
tain. 

“She was given a seat on the last bench and 
when her name was called for examination she 
stood up and promptly failed to spell the word 
correctly. Everyone laughed and she sat down 
and cried. 

“Then came the test in singing and Pauline 
stood up with the others but not having been a 
pupil, she was ordered to sit down again. 

“She shed bitter tears during the time that 
each child sang a song. But the kind old teacher 
saw her pleading face and went over to her. 
When all had finished singing he led the poor 


278 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


little girl out and asked that she be permitted to 
sing her little song, whether she had taken les- 
sons or not. She would be made happy, and that 
was the important thing after all. 

“So Pauline sang and when she had finished 
there was such a silence that the little girl felt 
she had done something awful. But the kind 
teacher begged her to sing another song, and, 
once started, Pauline forgot where she was and 
sang and sang. 

“Now, it happened that a celebrated singer 
was in the room and he recognized a wonder- 
ful voice in the singer. He sent the little girl to 
a noted teacher, and stupid homely Pauline was 
transformed into the lovely, famous, grand opera 
singer.” 

“Oh, Mr. Richards, wouldn’t it be wonderful if 
our little May became famous?” cried Ruth, 
clasping her hands. 

“And that crippled little brother of hers! 
You ought to see the wonderful pictures he 
makes with charcoal! It is all he ever had to do 
at home, and charcoal was the only thing he had 
to work with, for they used it in the stove. 


HAPPY MAY DAYS 


279 

I really believe he will prove to be a genius !” 
declared Aunt Selina. 

“Well, this alone ought to kill every symptom 
of hookworm, Uncle Ben,” laughed Ned. 

“Yes, indeed! If your Little Citizens show 
such marvelous gifts which would have been 
hidden or killed for lack of nourishment, just 
think of the joy you all ought to feel when you 
remember that your Publishing Company and the 
magazine did it!” said Mr. Richards, emphati- 
cally. 

The rest of the time was spent in delightful 
visits to the little farms, the Nests, the other 
buildings, and then to a big feast prepared at 
the house for the visitors. 

On the ride home that night Don admitted, 
“I feel as if that hookworm had turned into 
dozens of busy bees all buzzing to get at work!” 

The others laughed at his funny speech, but 
Uncle Ben felt that the calamity of a loss of in- 
terest in the work was overcome for that time, 
at least. 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 

Uncle Ben did not bring his party home until 
long after ten o'clock that night, and most of 
them were half asleep when they were helped 
from the automobiles at their respective homes. 

But the plan had the desired effect for not 
one of the Blue Birds or Bobolinks would have 
dared shirk the important work of getting out the 
magazine — the only method they had at that time 
of interesting the public in their benevolent plans 
or of securing co-operation with other societies 
for helping needy children. 

As a direct result of being out so late at night, 
not one of the publishers felt like getting up and 
attending school the following morning, so Uncle 
Ben decided to remain over that day and have 
a talk with the children to establish them in their 
renewed zeal for Little Citizens. 

Near noon one after the other, the Blue 
280 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


281 


Birds and Bobolinks arrived at the barn, and 
Uncle Ben came in as he saw the Starr twins — 
always the last at work — stroll in at the open 
door of the offices. 

“Well, where are the hookworms, to-day ?” 
laughed Uncle Ben. 

“Gone for keeps!” responded Ned, smilingly. 

“That’s right! Now, how about the next is- 
sue of the magazine? Got any copy ready, or 
have any of you made plans for it?” continued 
Uncle Ben. 

“No, that’s just the trouble! We seem all used 
up for original ideas,” complained Jinks. 

• “Oh, impossible! What with so many bright 
heads all about, would you want me to believe 
that you can’t find the things to fill the pages 
of that paper?” said Uncle Ben, quizzically. 

“Nevertheless, it’s true! We used up every 
little scrap of information in the other numbers 
and now we’re stumped !” declared Mete. 

“Well, then we’ll have to pattern after some 
of our big successful periodicals in New York. 
Now, let me see ! They have a New Year’s Num- 
ber, a Valentine Number, a Windy Number, an 
Easter Number — all of which we seem to have 


282 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


had also. Now, suppose we try a Funny Number 
and fill the magazine with funny stories and say- 
ings ?” suggested Uncle Ben. 

“Goodness me ! That will be harder than any- 
thing else!” cried Ned. 

“Why, we couldn’t get enough jokes or funny 
stories to fill one page, let alone the whole 
magazine!” added Jinks. 

“Well, you’ll only have to fill one page at a 
time, you know. If you begin at the first page, 
and have enough stuff left over for the second 
page, you will be that much more through the 
entire book, won’t you? Suppose you try and 
fill one page?” advised Uncle Ben. 

“Where under the sun will we get the fun 
to fill that one?” grumbled Don. 

“See here! It’s lunch hour. Suppose I offer 
a prize to the member of this company who 
brings in the most funny sayings or anecdotes 
that he can get together before five o’clock to- 
night — here at the office!” said Uncle Ben. 

“Oh that will be easy enough for we can get 
a book of jokes and write down dozens of them,” 
said Ruth. 

“Oh, no, not that way. I mean for you to get 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 283 

original funny sketches and something pertain- 
ing to children. Not just humorous things of 
grown-ups. I know you can get them and so I 
want each of you to try,” explained Uncle Ben. 

"But where shall we try?” persisted Don. 

"Anywhere. Get on your pony and ride out 
to a farm and ask the owner if he ever had any- 
thing funny happen to his pigs, or his dog, or his 
crops! One of the girls could stop at the baker's 
and ask if they ever had anything funny happen 
to their dough or their business? Why, there 
are a hundred ways of winning that prize!” en- 
thused Uncle Ben. 

"That's great! I never thought of such a 
thing!” exclaimed Don, smiling, as he planned 
a way of action. 

"Of course you didn't! That’s what ails all 
of you! It isn't that there isn't an original idea 
to be had but every one of you has stopped think- 
ing!” replied Uncle Ben. 

"Agreed, Uncle Ben. If anyone brings in the 
most funny things that can be printed in the 
magazine he will get a prize, and if we find 
enough to fill several pages we will call it the 
Funny Number,” declared Ned. 


284 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“Then I’m off to start hunting!” said Uncle 
Ben, waving his hand and leaving the offices. 

“You know, Uncle Ben always makes every- 
thing seem so easy, doesn’t he?” ventured Mete, 
as they all got up from the benches, ready to go 
home to luncheon. 

“Yes, but this isn’t so easy! How would you 
start to get a funny story?” asked Ruth. 

“Why, I’ve got one story already. I thought 
of it just after Uncle Ben spoke of Don’s go- 
ing off to hunt them up,” replied Mete. 

“What is it — tell it to us!” chorused a babel 
of voices. 

“Well, remember it is mine! Nobody must 
use the idea !” said Mete, cautiously. 

As every head nodded in promise of faith with 
him, he said, “Just a few weeks ago Don had to 
take some medicine, but as he hates it, he shook 
his head. 

“Then Mumzie said, 'Come, Don — it’s sweet 
as sugar !’ 

“And Don said, T hate to be selfish, Mumzie, 
so I’ll give it to Babs instead!’ ” 

Everyone laughed for it was really very funny 
and Don looked chagrined to find that he had 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 285 

been the victim of that bitter dose and had now 
lost the compensation for having taken it, in for- 
getting to remember it at this time. 

“Oh, do you know, I believe we can find heaps 
of funny things like that. Why, Babs said an 
awful funny thing the other night when Mumzie 
was reading us a Bible story,” cried Dot, quite 
excited at the light Mete threw upon the problem. 

“Tell us what it was?” said most of the 
children. 

“Now, Don you were there so don't you choose 
this one,” warned Dot, scowling at her twin. 

“No, no; whoever tells a story here must be 
the rightful author of it to count on the prizes,” 
declared Ned. 

So Dot said the Bible story had been the read- 
ing of how Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in 
the bulrushes. They all listened eagerly, and 
when Mumzie reached the place where the maids 
were ordered to carry Moses up to the palace, 
Babs cried: “Mumzie dear, why did dose bulls 
rush atter Moses?” 

The Blue Birds and Bobolinks laughed merrily 
at this, and the two funny stories had the efifect 
of sending each one ofif with the desire to find 


286 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


more, for now it seemed a very simple thing to 
do. 

Ruth ran home as fast as she could to tell 
Mother Wings about Uncle Ben’s idea, and in 
the library she found Mrs. Catlin who was in- 
vited to luncheon that day. 

“Oh, you’re just the one to tell me some funny 
things that happened when you were a little 
girl!” cried Ruth, as she hastily explained about 
the Funny Number. 

The ladies looked at each other and laughed,, 
Mrs. Talmage adding, “Did you ever see any- 
body like Ben? I declare, he has a remedy for 
every ill — real or fancied !” 

“Well, it is a good thing for the Little Citizens 
that he can. Yesterday he cured the 'hookworm’ 
and to-day he starts a Funny Number!” added 
Mrs. Catlin. 

“Yes, yes, but do help me! I want to win a 
prize !” exclaimed Ruth impatiently. 

“Well, let me tell you what to do, then. After 
Mother Wings and I have told you any we can 
think of at the moment, you just run down to 
the school-teacher and see if she hasn’t a store 
of incidents that happen in school. Or, go to the 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


287 


rectory and ask our rector if he knows of any 
funny things that are reported from the Sunday- 
school teachers,” advised Mrs. Catlin. 

“Oh, yes, that is fine! But someone else may 
think of that too, and get there first!” wailed 
Ruth. 

“If you will eat your luncheon with us, I will 
ask Ike to drive you to your different destina- 
tions in the car. That will save time in walk- 
ing so far,” added Mrs. Talmage, who feared 
Ruth would refuse to eat if she felt so anxious 
to get away. 

That was satisfactorily arranged, and Mrs. 
Catlin and her mother promised Ruth to write 
down the funny things they remembered to have 
happened to them when children. 

Ruth decided to visit the rectory first for she 
feared she would be detained at school for the 
afternoon if she happened to appear during the 
session. At the dear old rector's she heard some 
stories just as funny as the one Dot told about 
Moses. 

The moment the rector heard why Ruth sought 
for funny stories he smiled and said, “Yes, I have 
quite a few I can tell you, but first, you must 


288 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


have a pencil and some paper to write them 
down.” 

This ready, the rector folded his hands and 
began. 

“The first one is about a little boy in the infant 
class who sat listening to the teacher describing 
the colored picture of Elijah ascending to heaven 
in the chariot drawn by wonderful steeds. As 
the children are permitted to raise their hands 
to ask any questions, Ralphie raised his hand 
and said, 'Teacher, do you s’pose dat angel let 
Elijah sit in front and drive some of the way?’ ” 

Ruth laughed so merrily over this that she 
had to stop writing, and when she resumed her 
writing the rector was engaged thinking up an- 
other story for her. 

“When I was a young man and had been 
given a church at a fashionable summer resort, 
to see how I would conduct services in a social 
community, I overheard a little girl speak to an 
usher, and what she said has never been for- 
gotten by me. 

“The service reached the place where the 
ushers take up the collection. As there was no 
especial charity to be benefited by the collection 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


289 


that day, I was not expected to mention the act. 

“Right before me, a few pews from the front, 
sat a pretty little girl dressed in very fine clothes. 
Beside her sat a fashionably-gowned mother. 
As the plate passed those in front they placed 
crisp bills on it, and then it was handed to the 
little girl before it reached her mother. But the 
lady already had her daintily gloved hand out to 
take it when her tiny daughter cried, 'Oh, mama ! 
we don’t need this money! You mustn’t take 
what doesn’t belong to you !’ Then the little miss 
turned to the smiling usher and said, 'No, thank 
you — take it away !’ ” 

Ruth laughed but did not think this one so 
funny for she said, “I feel so sorry for the little 
girl! She didn’t know any better, I s’pose!” 

“Well, Ruth, maybe you will like this one bet- 
ter. I did not hear it myself but a friend of mine 
told it as a fact. A little boy went to church with 
his mother and when the plate was passed around 
he noticed that she placed a nickel on it. On the 
walk home after service, his mother was telling 
a neighbor how very poor she thought the ser- 
mon was. And her son rebuked her by saying, 


2 9 o THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


Well, mama, you only paid a nickel for it — what 
can anyone expect for five cents F ” 

"Oh, Mr. Rankin, nobody would say that, 
would they?” said Ruth, quite horrified. 

"If you mean the complaints about our ser- 
mons — I should say, yes, my child. A minister 
can never please all of his hearers, no matter how 
hard he tries, for someone always thinks it is 
the poorest preaching they ever heard !” returned 
the rector, sadly. 

"Well, remember a more cheerful story then, 
and let’s forget the people who find fault,” ad- 
vised Ruth. 

While she sat with the tip of the pencil in her 
mouth waiting to jot down another story, the 
rector looked at the ceiling to recall some more 
stories. 

Suddenly he laughed aloud and said, "Here’s 
one that I overheard at an Anniversary Meeting 
of the Sunday School. A well-known missionary 
from India was to be present to address the chil- 
dren, and so a Sunday School our church was 
maintaining in the slums was invited to be pres- 
ent at the meeting. 

"The missionary stood in the vestibule with 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


291 


me for a few moments before entering the 
church, and as we stood there watching the 
scholars go by, one bright little girl passed and 
smiled up at me. I was not sure that I knew 
who she was, but I smiled back. 

“The missionary thought it was a little friend 
of mine and he placed his hand upon her short 
curls and asked, 'And what might your age be, 
my dear?’ 

“ 'Well, sir, it might be sixty, but it ain’t!’ ” 

“That’s funny, but I think it was very rude to 
your kind missionary,” ventured Ruth. 

At this moment Ruth heard Jinks’ voice in the 
hallway. He was ushered into the room where 
she sat with the rector, and when Jinks saw her 
he gasped. “Who told you to come?” asked he. 

But Ruth knew that the Bobolinks would do 
their best to win the prize and she wanted the 
Blue Birds to win, so she did some very rapid 
thinking. The result of it was that she said, 
“Did you come straight here from your lunch- 
eon?” 

“Yes, but what has that to do with my ques- 
tion?” said Jinks. 

Ruth made no reply, but ran over to the as- 


292 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

tonished rector and whispered, “Save the other 
stories until I come back — I asked first, you 
know!” and then ran out of the house. 

She jumped into the car and told Ike to race 
for the schoolhouse, as it was three o’clock. 

Jinks turned to the rector and explained about 
his call, but the dear old man shook his head and 
said, “I have already told my stories to Ruthie.” 

As the Talmage automobile stopped in front 
of the school Ruth told Ike to drive around the 
corner and wait for her, as she feared one of the 
Bobolinks might see the car and suspect her of 
the plot to get the stories. 

In a few words the little Blue Bird told her 
favorite teacher what she wanted and the teacher 
laughingly led her to the principal. Here she 
was reminded that she had been absent that day 
and did not deserve any help in winning the 
prize. But Ruth knew the twinkle in the eyes 
that tried to look severe meant that she would 
soon have some more stories. 

As soon as the teacher left the office the prin- 
cipal took a scrap book from a closet and turned 
over the leaves slowly. 

“Now, my dear, if I read you some of these 
stories, promise me you won’t tell the others, for 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


293 

I can’t be bothered by all of the boys and girls 
who may want funny stories.” 

“Oh, you see I will have them, so there won’t 
be any need for the others to call,” replied Ruth, 
getting her pencil and pad ready for writing. 

So the good-natured principal began. 

“A boy was asked a question in geography 
class which he could not answer and his teacher 
said that everyone who knew anything could tell 
that Russia had no oceans at all — it was an in- 
land country. 

“The boy then asked innocently, 'Maybe you 
can tell me why the Russian nation does resemble 
the sea, then ?’ 

“But the teacher thought and thought and 
could not. 

“Then the boy said, 'Most everyone knows that 
Russia’s nobles are all swells and her people 
serfs.’ ” 

Ruth giggled as she wrote rapidly and the 
principal cleared his throat for the next story. 

“One day in a class the teacher asked a boy 
the longest word in the English language. 

“He could not tell, but his chum said he could, 
so he was given the opportunity to tell. 


294 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“ ‘It's smiles — ’cause there’s a mile between 
the first and last letters.’ ” 

"0-oh, that’s a good one, isn’t it? Almost 
good enough to send to a puzzle man in New 
York!” laughed Ruth. 

The principal chuckled, too, and then said, “I 
can tell you something that just occurred in Don 
Starr’s class. I was talking to the boys the other 
day and mentioned the war in Europe. To 
make myself understood I wished to describe 
some places in France, so I asked how many boys 
had been abroad. 

"One boy from Sicily stood up, for he had 
come over from Europe. Another one had been 
in England and France with his parents. Then 
Tuck Stevens stood up, but I was quite sure he 
had not been abroad. 'When did you go to 
Europe, Tuck?’ I asked. 

“ 'Why, one day Ma and me sailed from New 
York to Boston,’ he replied.” 

Ruth thought Tuck’s story the funniest yet, 
and she said, "I wish we had more of that kind.” 

"Well, I can tell you of an incident that hap- 
pened to me when I was a small boy, but it isn’t 
a school-story. I shall never forget it because 
I felt so sorry for the poor little boat, and was 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


295 


horrified at the heartless way all of my relatives 
laughed at what I felt so grieved over." 

Ruth looked expectantly at the school-master 
and he said, smilingly, “I was about four or five 
years of age. 

“My parents were taking me to the city to 
watch a great civic parade, and as you know, 
we had to cross the ferry in boats at that time. 
This sail was always a great treat to me and I in- 
sisted upon looking from the windows in winter- 
time or standing as near the guard chains as 
possible in summer. 

“This particular spring day I was out in front, 
and suddenly I saw the sight that wrung my 
heart. Naturally I called to my father: 

“ ‘Oh, Daddy, see that horrid big ship ! He's 
got that little boat by the tail and is pulling it so 
hard it has to squeal.' 

“After the laugh subsided my mother tried to 
explain that the little tug was used to pull the 
great ocean liner out of the slip, but I refused to 
be comforted." 

“Oh, oh, oh!" laughed Ruth, bending over in 
her merriment. “I do wish you would remember 
some more of your own funny stories; they are 
so very funny !" 


2 96 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


The man smiled indulgently at Ruth’s words 
of appreciation and continued for her benefit 

“This story has been told about me so many 
times that I fear it is true, but I do not remember 
it at all, for I suppose I was too young. 

“My grandfather, who often came to visit us, 
had a long white beard that reached from ear to 
ear and covered his lower face. Then came the 
time when men preferred to be clean shaven for 
more than one good reason, and my grandfather 
had his beard shaved off. 

“The following Sunday he came to dinner at 
our house, and I failed to recognise him when 
he came in at the front door. 

“ 'Why, Jamie, don’t you know I am your 
grandfather?’ asked the old man when I refused 
to speak to him. 

“That voice was my grandfather’s, I knew, so 
I looked at the familiar twinkle of the eyes and 
replied, 'Well, maybe oo is my drand fadder all 
wight, but whose head did oo get on?’ ” 

At this Ruth laughed again, and added, “I am 
sure I shall get the prize !” 

Just as she spoke, a knock at the office door 
came and a teacher ushered in Dot, who also had 
thought of school-stories. 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


297 

“Oh, you're too late; Eve got them all!" cried 
Ruth, waving her paper. 

“No, you didn’t, neither, ’cause my teacher 
told me some !’’ 

“Well, anyway, we got ahead of the Bobo- 
links !’’ laughed Ruth, and she told Dot how Jinks 
came to the rectory after she had had the stories. 

“And I went to our dressmaker, as Mumzie 
advised, for she goes about to so many families 
where there are children to sew for, that she had 
heaps of funny things to tell me." 

“Oh, really! Do tell us some!" cried Ruth, 
eagerly. 

“Well, children, I guess I have told all you 
need just now, so you run along and I will con- 
tinue with my work," said the principal, kindly. 

Ruth thanked him very politely for his time 
and interest, and the two Blue Birds ran out to 
the corner where Ike waited with the car. 

“Did you see any of the boys about?" asked 
Ruth, curiously. 

“Yes, Master Ned and Mete just went in at 
the back door!" lapghed Ike, who had not been 
seen by the boys. 

“Oh, I do hope they won’t get any help!" 
sighed Ruth. 


298 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“Here’s the ones I got, Ruth, listen !” said Dot, 
as Ike started away. “From my teacher I got 
this one: 

“She told a little boy in her class last year that 
the earth was round. The next day she was 
hearing the geography class and she turned to 
George and said, What shape did I say the earth 
was?’ 

“ T dun’no,’ replied George. 

“ Why, I told you yesterday that it was round. 
Have you forgotten so soon ?’ 

“ 'No’m,’ said George, Tut my mother says not 
to believe everything I hear, so I didn’t.’ ” 

Ruth laughed and Dot turned to the next one 
given by her teacher at school. 

“Johnny was very stupid and his father told 
him he had to do better or be punished. One 
day, when there was a dreadful blizzard, only a 
few scholars appeared at school. That night 
Johnny said he was doing fine in class. 

“ T am very glad to hear it, my boy. Did you 
stand at the head of your recitation class?’ asked 
his father. 

“ 'No, sir, but I was next to him,’ said Johnny. 

“ 'Fine, Johnny! How many boys were in the 
class?’ 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


299 


“ ‘Only two, sir/ replied Johnny seriously/' 

Both little girls thought that was very funny, 
and Ike turned to say that he thought it was a 
good one, too. Then he said, “Maybe the boys 
haven't thought of the police station. They al- 
ways have funny things that children do and say 
on the records." 

“Oh, yes, let's try there!" cried Ruth. 

While Ike drove down Main Street, Dot told 
the third and last school story she had. 

“One of the boys in class was very witty but 
not interested in education, so his father always 
questioned him as to his advancement at school. 
One day he said, ‘Well, Jim, how do you stand 
at school now — at the head or at the foot?' 

“ ‘Why, Pa, I stand on my two feet, but Billy 
Summers can stand on his head,' replied Jim, 
instantly." 

By this time the automobile had reached the 
small station-house of Oakdale where very few 
arrests were ever made, and the Blue Birds 
skipped in to greet the sergeant who was a jolly 
friend of all the children in the town. 

“Oh, Mr. Halsey, we need funny stories for 
our next magazine, and we want you to tell us 
if you have any on your books?" cried Dot, the 


3 oo THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

moment she found he was alone and at leisure 
to talk with them. 

"Oh, are you the little girls who telephoned a 
short time ago about some stories ?” asked Mr. 
Halsey. 

Ruth and Dot exchanged glances and Dot 
said, "We all belong to the same club of Blue 
Birds and we want to beat the Bobolink boys in 
this race that Uncle Ben got up for us.” 

The officer smiled and pulled his spectacles 
down from his forehead and looked over a book 
he had been reading when the little girls were 
ushered into his private room. 

"Well, children, here’s one of a little boy we 
had lots of trouble with last year. I made up 
my mind I must do what his father would have 
done had he lived, so I said, 'See here, young 
man! You’ve been a very bad boy again, and 
I’m going to give you a choice of two punish- 
ments. A sound whipping or to be locked up in 
the cellar!’ 

"The boy looked at my muscles and size and 
asked, 'Who’s going to whip me, you or that little 
policeman?’ 

"When I told him that I would, he replied, 
'Then I’ll take a chance on the cellar.’ ” 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


301 


Dot giggled while Ruth hurriedly wrote down 
the story, and the sergeant turned over the pages 
of his book, smilingly. 

“When I was a young man I was a policeman 
in the city, and I remember arresting a little 
vagrant boy who said he had no parents or 
home. I saw what tattered shoes he had on, so 
I said, ‘Are those your best shoes ?’ 

“The little fellow looked down at the shoes 
for a moment and then said, ‘These ain’t mine, 
mister. I found these in a garbage barrel — 
’cause my best shoes were all worn out.’ ” 

The sergeant chuckled as he gazed at the ceil- 
ing in remembrance of his young days, and the 
Blue Birds said, “Oh, that was a truly Little 
Citizens’ story — can’t you tell us more like that 
one?” 

“Well, how will this one do?” quizzed the 
good-natured man. “I was walking down a 
friend’s beat one morning while he was on duty 
elsewhere. Two little girls had been playing on 
the walk when one of them cried, ‘He is not, 
neither !’ 

“ ‘Yes, he is — you said so yourself!’ 

“ ‘I didn’t ! Here comes a policeman an’ I’m 
going to ask him,’ cried the other small girl. 


302 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


“They both stopped me and one asked, ‘Will 
they send my papa to prison?’ 

“And the other interrupted by exclaiming, 
'They will, won’t they, if he steals?’ 

“I was sorry to tell the anxious little maid that 
they would. But I asked, 'What is the matter 
with your father?’ 

“ 'Why, Ethel wanted to know what business 
my father was in, an’ I told her he was in steel ; 
then she said he was a thief !’ 

“It took some time to explain to the other little 
girl that there were two kinds of steel.” 

“That’s a good one, but it isn’t quite as Blue 
Birdy as the other, is it?” said Ruth, trying to 
be polite. 

“No, but we can’t always choose just what we 
want,” laughed the sergeant. 

“Well, I guess any kind will do to get the 
prize as long as we get back to the office on time,” 
said Dot, who felt anxious about the time. 

“Well, here’s one in the book that may do for 
you. The year Oakdale had the city children out 
in that large farm some miles from here, when 
the smallpox became an epidemic in the city, 
one farmer offered to help by camping some boys 
in his woods for a time. We sent him a group 


THE FUNNY NUMBER 


303 


of boys from five to ten years of age. Then, in 
a week’s time, we got a letter from him: 

“ 'Dear Sergeant,’ he wrote. 'Come quick and 
take away these boys and give me the smallpox 
instead — it will be preferable.’ ” 

The little girls laughed at that, and the ser- 
geant was called out to the waiting room to inter- 
view a man, so the Blue Birds shook hands and 
left him. 

At the office of the Publishing Company, at 
the time Uncle Ben mentioned, everyone took a 
seat and waited. 

It was very entertaining to hear the stories told 
by the workers, and every one of them had been 
collected that afternoon. It turned out that more 
than enough material was on hand for a Funny 
Number, and Uncle Ben smiled complacently as 
he said, "I knew it would be easy work. And 
this will be a number which will always be kept 
to make folks with the blues smile again.” 


CHAPTER XV 


the: BUSY MONTH OB JUNE 

The Funny Number was mailed and was pro- 
nounced a very excellent idea for all of the jokes 
and funny stories were good and original. The 
Blue Birds won the prize for collecting the best 
stories,, and Ruth won the prize for having the 
greatest number by the specified time. 

At that meeting Uncle Ben said, “I find Ruth 
is the one who has the greatest number of stories 
and articles which can be used for our Funny 
Number. Don Starr had as many in number, 
but on account of the style and type of some of 
the stories they had to be omitted. Now, Ruth, 
I shall present you with the prize next week when 
I come from the city. As the Blue Birds won 
the prize for having the best class of stories, they 
shall also have a prize for the entire club to use.” 

The Bobolinks felt disappointed, of course, but 
they were generous enough to clap their hands in 
applause of the little girls, who smiled with such 
pleasure at winning the prize. 

304 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 305 

At the meeting the following week when 
Uncle Ben brought in the packages that held the 
prizes, everyone was curious to see what they 
would be. Mother Wings and some of the 
Grown-ups were present when Uncle Ben made 
his little presentation speech. 

Ruth found her gift was a lovely leather- 
bound copy of “Roget’s Thesaurus,” a book 
which has always been known as the best one 
ever published to give complete lists of synonyms 
and antonyms, and just the thing a school-girl 
would cherish for her guide in finding the right 
word or phrase in lessons or composition. Uncle 
Ben said, as he gave it to Ruth, “It may seem to 
the little ones that this gift is much too old for 
the age of the prize-winner, but I believe in giv- 
ing something that will help one in their present 
as well as future work. As Ruth takes such an 
interest in the magazine, she must be provided 
with a book that will help her select just the word 
she wants to use in her writing or speaking. 
And she will never outgrow it, for I use mine 
to-day as much as I ever did.” 

Ruth was pleased with the gift, for she was a 
, studious girl by nature, and a game or toy would 


3 o6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 


not have appealed to her nearly as much as the 
valuable volume given her. 

Then the prize for the Blue Birds was opened, 
while everyone crowded about the table to see 
what the heavy thing could be. 

When the lid of the box was pried off the 
Blue Birds gasped, for there was a bright new 
typewriting machine for their very own use in 
the Nest. Heretofore, they had had to borrow 
the one the Bobolinks used and there was always 
confusion. Now they could patter away on the 
keys of their very own machine and learn how 
to finger the keys properly and write neatly and 
correctly. 

“When I told the salesman to pick out an 
easy-running typewriter, for it was to be used 
by girls of seven to ten years of age, he looked 
as if he didn’t believe me. I realized that he 
thought I was joking, so I asked him, ‘Did you 
ever hear of a club called Blue Birds — or a Band 
called Bobolink Boys?’ 

“ ‘Yes, they are the ones who did all those 
things for the Little Citizens, aren’t they?’ said 
he. 

“ ‘Well, this typewriter will be used by the 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 307 


Blue Birds, who are not more than eleven years 
at the most/ said I. 

“So here you are, ladies, and I hope all of you 
become efficient writers, so that when you are a 
few years older you will be writing your own 
book manuscripts on your own writing-machine 
— and I will publish them for you,” concluded 
Uncle Ben. 

As it was the first week of June there was not 
much time to spare from school lessons, for the 
yearly examinations were about to begin, and 
every scholar wished to pass as high in percent- 
age as was possible. 

The Publishing Office saw little of the Blue 
Birds or Bobolinks during those days, and when 
they did meet on Saturdays or an evening during 
the week, it was not for work but for a talk or 
recreation. During that month Uncle Ben took 
care of the magazine, for he would not think of 
having the young publishers assume too many 
responsibilities, and he said that school exams, 
were enough at that time. 

So the children had but little idea of what 
would appear in their magazine following the 
Funny Number. But Uncle Ben had an idea of 


308 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

which he said nothing to anyone else. Only 
Flutey knew of his plan. 

Consequently, the day after Commencement, 
when the Blue Birds and Bobolinks felt they 
could take an interest in other things once more, 
a package of the current month’s magazine ar- 
rived by express from the city where it had been 
made up for that time. 

Naturally, they tore open the wrappers with 
impatient fingers and sat down to admire what 
Uncle Ben had published. 

The magazine was called “Little Citizens’ 
Number,” and of course everything in it was 
about Happy Hills and the wonderful plans for 
the summer. 

Mr. Richards had sent out their best photog- 
rapher and had taken pictures of the whole place, 
including some of the Little Citizens already 
camping in the Nests. These pictures were ex- 
pected to appear with a long article in the Sun- 
day paper of that week. The magazine was 
given the permission to use the photographs, 
also, for that current number. 

The cover of the magazine had a group pic- 
ture in medallion frame of the seven Owens chil- 
dren, with little Maggie as the head of the fam- 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 309 

ily. A story to tell all about how the Little 
Mother and the rest of the family were discov- 
ered, and what they were now doing to regain 
health and the joy of childhood, was written to 
interest people who approved of this form of 
benevolence. 

Then followed pictures of the place. A bird’s- 
eye view of Happy Hills showed the old- 
fashioned house where Aunt Selina lived, and 
the wide lawns and woods. 

Another picture showed a finished Nest from 
the front. An interior view showed the bunks 
and lockers, the rain curtains, and the place 
where toys and tools were kept. 

The Little Farms, the play-house, refectory 
and infirmary had a page devoted to each, and 
enough different views of each subject were 
shown to give the reader a thorough idea of the 
entire place. 

One page was given to the names of teachers 
who had offered their services for the summer, 
and another page was given to the account of 
great-hearted physicians and trained nurses who 
had agreed to take turns in being at Happy Hills 
so that the sick or crippled children could have 
regular attention all through the summer. All 


310 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

this was done with the spirit of charity and love, 
and not for financial gain. 

A number of pages were given to the list of 
Little Citizens who had already applied for 
shelter in a Nest during the summer, and news 
of when and how these Little Citizens were go- 
ing to Happy Hills. Also, a page was devoted 
to explaining how children should apply for an 
invitation, whom to see and how to get ready to 
go. There would be plenty of Nest room to ac- 
commodate at least five hundred children and 
the list of those to go totalled only one hundred 
and seventy, so there were still plenty of vacant 
Nests to fill. It was hoped that every Nest would 
be filled before the last of June, so that the suc- 
cess of the plan could be determined before the 
end of the summer’s trial season. 

“I think this number ought to start things 
moving in the direction of Happy Hills, don’t 
you?” said Ned, when the last page of the maga- 
zine had been turned. 

“Yes, and Mother Wings told me to-night be- 
fore I left the house to come here, that Uncle 
Ben had mailed a special copy to every benevo- 
lent name he could find in the register and to 
every Welfare Worker, every physician who 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 31 1 

might wish to take advantage of the big invita- 
tion for children, to every hospital and clinic in 
the eastern cities, and to every Day Nursery, 
Settlement Workers' and Nurses' Homes that he 
could hear of or find addresses of. In this way 
everyone in that line of work will know of Happy 
Hills before this week is over and the Sunday 
papers will follow up the plan with its fine big 
story and pictures, so that anyone who hasn't 
heard of the work before Sunday will surely 
hear of it then," said Ruth. 

But it seemed that everyone who entertained an 
idea of helping, and any Little Citizen who 
yearned to go to Happy Hills, had had some 
gleam of the truth of the work before that Sun- 
day came around. Not that the newspapers sold 
less copies of the paper, for the general interest 
was so great that people bought scores of the 
papers to mail all over the country to their friends 
— some going to California and some to Maine, 
some to the South and some even travelling as 
far as Alaska where interested friends were 
living. 

But, dear children, so many great ideas were 
started that summer from the way the papers 
and the public took up the plans and work for 


312 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

Little Citizens, that it will take another book to 
tell you about them. 

Of all the wonderful talents and gifted chil- 
dren discovered in the Little Citizens at Happy 
Hills that summer; of the stories told by them, 
some of these stories so thrilling that they 
sounded more like fairy-tales or moving picture 
tales than real fact. But, then, facts are oft- 
times stranger than fiction. 

Of the lame who walked, of the sick who were 
healed, of the cripples who grew straight and 
the paralyzed who began to move and do things 
— all of the things that happened in that summer 
at Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight are 
waiting for you in the Little Citizens’ record of 
events. 

Of course there were happenings that caused 
the nerves and courage of everyone to be taxed 
to the breaking point, but they all turned out 
right in the end. There was a fire that threat- 
ened to destroy the whole camp, and it was 
started by a boy who played with matches. But 
the training the Little Citizens had had each day 
to prepare them in cases of emergency, and the 
protection against fire, soon controlled the de- 
structive blaze. 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 313 

Then there were some unmanageable street 
children who secured admission to the camp in 
some way without having their past records 
looked up at the Juvenile Courts, and they caused 
all sorts of trouble for a time, but gradually they, 
too, were corrected and brought to see how de- 
sirable it was to be obedient and good, and they 
developed into fine citizens. 

There was a case of a little fellow who tried 
to swim in the shallow pond and got caught in 
some eel-grass and was almost drowned, but a 
brave Little Citizen rescued him. For this a 
medal was presented to the child, and that started 
the plan of giving medals of honor for other 
things the Little Citizens did, so that everyone 
wished to win a medal. 

Then the wonderful Mr. Richards and Uncle 
Ben started to organize the Little Citizens into 
a drill corps. And the Boy Scouts were so inter- 
ested in this plan that enough of the older boys 
of experience went to Happy Hills to train the 
companies and squads during the season so that 
system and order was the result when the season 
was over. 

But, of course, all of these things could not 
have been foreseen that day when the Blue Birds 


314 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

and Bobolinks sat in the barn admiring their 
magazines. They hoped for these results, but as 
yet no one could tell. 

Following that day in the office of the Publish- 
ing Company came a telegram, forwarded from 
the wireless station in New York Bay, saying 
that Mr. Talmage was on board the incoming 
steamer from South America, and would be at 
home in a few days. 

This gave everyone so much to look forward 
to that the magazine was forgotten for the time 
being. Even Uncle Ben was eager to welcome 
back his brother from his flying trip to the lum- 
ber regions of Brazil. 

“I wonder if father can spend the rest of the 
summer with us,” wondered Ruth, as the Blue 
Birds were assembled for the last time in their 
Winter Nest, for Ike had prepared the Summer 
Nest in the old tree for their use during the warm 
days. 

“I don’t know, but I did hear Daddum tell 
Mumzie that he would have to take a long trip 
to California this summer to inspect and value 
some Redwoods there. So I’m afraid that he 
won’t be here to enjoy your father’s visit. I 
don’t know what he wants us to do this summer, 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 315 

you see, for no plans have been made for us to 
go to the seashore or to the mountains, as usual.” 

“I wish we could all spend the summer at 
Happy Hills with our Little Citizens,” ventured 
Betty. 

“I don't believe the Little Citizens would en- 
joy having us there half as much as we would 
like to see them and watch how things go,” de- 
clared Dot 

“No, they might feel as if we were watching 
and talking about them, and they wouldn't feel 
natural; but we can go and visit them now and 
then, I should think,” said Ruth. 

“Suppose we suggest a trip over there to Uncle 
Ben when he comes here again. The camps 
ought to be pretty well filled in another week, 
don't you think so?” asked Ned, of the others. 

But for all their planning and wishing, a very 
different thing happened for the Talmage and 
Starr children. 

When Mr. Starr found he must definitely take 
the trip to California he wondered if it would be 
possible to take his family and make an auto- 
mobile trip of it. He said nothing of this until 
he had seen and talked with Mrs. Talmage to 


3 i 6 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

find out if her husband intended going west that 
summer on his lumber plan. 

After many secret meetings and much talking, 
the Starr parents and Mrs. Talmage decided that 
they could take all the children on the trip, pro- 
viding Mr. Talmage expected to visit the Red- 
wood forests that summer. 

And how the two families started, taking Jinks 
with them, and how they stopped at Happy Hills 
to visit the Little Citizens, and how they finally, 
after many adventures, arrived in California, is 
all told in “Five Little Starrs on an Auto Tour.” 

But the Blue Birds and Bobolinks who re- 
mained at Oakdale after the touring parties left, 
were well cared for by Uncle Ben, who planned 
and treated them to every fine outing he could. 
He spent his summer at Mossy Glen during the 
Talmage’s absence, and Mr. Richards came down 
two and three times every week, and spent every 
Sunday with Uncle Ben. This gave them plenty 
of time to talk over plans and ways of carrying 
out ideas for Little Citizens, and the Blue Birds 
and Bobolinks were present at most of these 
talks. 

It had been decided by the Publishing Company 
that as many of their printers and editors had 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 317 

gone on the western auto trip, it would be much 
wiser to suspend the July and August numbers 
of the magazine and come out in September with 
a thick magazine, full of the adventures of the 
publishers during the summer, and of the doings 
of the Little Citizens while at camp. That gave 
the children at Oakdale a vacation from worry 
over the publishing work and made folks look 
forward to the Big September Issue. 

Soon after the tourists left home, letters ar- 
rived for Uncle Ben and all of the little pub- 
lishers left at home in Oakdale. The letters gave 
glowing accounts of the fine camp at Happy Hills 
and urged Uncle Ben to take all of the Blue Birds 
and Bobolinks on a visit to spend the day with 
the Little Citizens who were doing so wonder- 
fully well in the Valley of Delight 

“Oh, do take us, Uncle Ben!” cried Tuck. 

“ T am just wild to see all of them playing 
there!” sighed Betty. 

“If we do something for you, won't you do 
this for us?” asked Helen. 

“What will you do for me if I agree to take 
you there on Saturday morning and spend all 
day Sunday with Flutey?” 


3 i 8 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

“Oh, oh ! Spend a night at Happy Hills, and 
all Sunday?” exclaimed Frances, excitedly. 

“Well, I don’t know, I only asked you what 
you would do for me if I offered to treat you,” 
said Uncle Ben, a twinkle in his eyes that the 
children well knew meant business. 

“Anything! Everything you say!” chorused 
the children. 

“Will each of you promise to write down any- 
thing you hear which will make good writing for 
our magazine?” asked he. 

“Of course we will! We will do that anyway, 
even if you don’t ask it as a favor,” declared the 
children. 

“Well, well! I must call up Mr. Richards and 
see if he will go with us!” said Uncle Ben, going 
over to the garage where Ike had a telephone. 

Soon after, he returned and said, “Our friend 
says he will be charmed to escort us to Happy 
Hills. So, children, you must find out if you may 
go in the car with me to visit Flutey over Sun- 
day.” 

So delighted were the lonely Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks who remained at Oakdale that sum- 
mer that no parent had the heart to say “no” to 
the trip; so, early Saturday morning, a large 


THE BUSY MONTH OF JUNE 319 

touring car appeared with Mr. Richards driv- 
ing it. 

When everyone was tucked safely in, off went 
the car in the direction of Pennsylvania. 

Once over the State lines they felt they were 
nearing their longed-for destination. And by 
noon of that day Aunt Selina had the pleasure 
of hugging every little Blue Bird and Bobolink 
that had been deserted by the heads of the Pub- 
lishing Company in Oakdale. 

“Well, well! I certainly have a great surprise 
waiting for you, dear children. And I am so 
happy to tell you that you will enjoy the result 
of our last winter’s work in the Nest as much as 
I shall enjoy your pleasure,” said Aunt Selina. 

Then Uncle Ben and Mr. Richards marshalled 
the children to lunch in the great old-fashioned 
dining-room and such a chatter followed that 
Aunt Selina remarked, “Nothing but a nestful of 
happy birdlings could make such music!” 

Immediately after lunch everyone was eager 
to visit the Valley of Delight, so they ran out 
and waited for Aunt Selina to get into her 
rolling-chair, for it was too far for her to walk 
more than once a day, and she had been there in 
the morning to inspect the work. 


320 THE BLUE BIRDS’ UNCLE BEN 

That was a happy visit, for the Blue Birds and 
Bobolinks were so proud of the camp that they 
felt as if they could do almost any big thing 
after that. 

The Little Citizens they met and the things they 
saw and the stories they heard will be told you, 
too, in the next book of Blue Birds, called “Blue 
Birds at Happy Hills,” for we must give the 
city children a whole book in which to tell their 
stories of all that the Blue Birds and Bobolinks 
did to make that a really truly Valley of Delight. 


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